As London welcomed 2026, Deputy Harbour Master Joshua Rebbettes shares how the PLA and partners ensured everyone on the river could enjoy a safe night.
Orbit Clipper: London’s first fully electric Thames ferry
The Orbit Clipper, the UK’s first fully electric, zero-emission passenger ferry, is now in service, providing sustainable transport across the River Thames between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe (with departures every ten minutes).
The vessel carries up to 150 passengers and 100 bicycles, offering a greener and more accessible option for commuters, tourists, and cyclists. Its double-ended, self-docking aluminium catamaran design allows for efficient, semi-automated docking, while the ferry’s battery-powered system charges overnight and between trips, helping to reduce London’s carbon footprint.
By combining modern technology with sustainable transport, the Orbit Clipper supports London’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions, offering quicker, cleaner, and more efficient journeys across the Thames.
Credit: PLA Pilot Dave Harper
A Christmas overcarry
Twas the night before Christmas...at London Gateway. Plans were in place, preparing to clear ships from their berths to enable essential maintenance over the festive period.
However, the weather had other ideas...With all London pilot stations closed due to poor conditions, it became necessary to look for volunteer pilots willing to overcarry to Hamburg, so ships could continue their onward journeys.
Two of these volunteers were Class 1 Pilots Dave Harper and Andy Bhardwaj.
For centuries, the River Thames has been honoured through spiritual tradition. Last Sunday (11 January) marked its annual Blessing.
The clergy of Southwark Cathedral on the South Bank, and St Magnus the Martyr on the North Bank, meet in the middle of London Bridge.
There, they hold a short religious service. During the service, prayers are offered for those who use the river and the bridge, and tribute is paid to those who have lost their lives in the Thames.
It is a moment to pause, remember, and give thanks for the river that flows through the heart of the city.
Credit: DP World London Gateway
Construction underway on £13m ‘Hive’ innovation hub at London Gateway
DP World and Thames Freeport have begun construction on The Hive, a £13 million amenities and innovation hub at the London Gateway Logistics Park. The 29,000 sq. ft. facility represents a major step in Thames Freeport’s ongoing mission to foster skills, innovation, and opportunity across the Thames Estuary.
Designed as a dynamic focal point for local businesses, workforce training, and community engagement, The Hive will feature flexible meeting rooms, a dedicated training and innovation skills centre, a state-of-the-art gym, two sports pitches, and on-site food and drink facilities.
The new hub is expected to deliver over 100 days of industrial and employability skills programmes each year, supporting approximately 1,125 trainees annually across the Freeport. This project is part of the latest collaboration between DP World and Thames Freeport, co-funded through the Freeport’s seed-fund programme to create shared infrastructure for skills and innovation across Barking & Dagenham, Havering, and Thurrock.
Construction on The Hive began in October 2025, with completion scheduled for March 2026.
