Government urged to reverse policy putting cleaner Thames transport at risk

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has warned that the Government’s renewable fuel policy change of how inland waterways and rivers are categorised is making the use of renewable transition fuels for river transport significantly more expensive, risking slowing decarbonisation on the River Thames.

In late 2025, changes to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) was broadened in some areas around aviation and some non-biological maritime fuels, but vessels operating on tidal rivers and estuaries, including the River Thames, however remain unresolved in terms Renewable Transport Fuel Certificate (RTFC) eligibility for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers says the change is inconsistent with the Government's own definitions of inland waterways and its published Net Zero and Clean Air strategies. The company argues that a bus and a river service can make comparable journeys across London using the same transition fuel, yet only the bus remains eligible for RTFCs. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers says the distinction means scheduled river services operating on tidal waterways are treated differently from comparable public transport services despite pursuing the same emissions reductions.

Rather than seeking a new subsidy or tax exemption, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is calling for the policy framework eligibility be extended to include tidal rivers and estuaries.

The company says the result is that Government policy is making cleaner fuel more expensive relative to conventional diesel, discouraging the use of HVO as transition fuel. Subsequently, the increased cost has forced Uber Boat by Thames Clippers to return to conventional diesel on parts of its fleet. Using HVO saves an estimated 17,152 tonnes of CO2e but is nearly a 50% increase in price per litre to that of marine diesel.

River services form an important part of London's public transport network, with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers carrying more than six million passengers each year. The company has invested in four hybrid vessels that operate on electric power in central London, making it one of the UK's leading adopters of lower-emission river transport. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers warns that removing support for practical transition fuels risks slowing emissions reductions on one of the UK's busiest waterways at a time when the Government is encouraging all transport sectors to decarbonise.

Geoff Symonds, Chief Development Officer at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said:

"The River Thames should be one of London's greatest assets in the journey to net zero, but the current policy makes it extremely challenging for operators to commit to the us of cleaner fuels today.

"We are investing in viable hybrid solutions for our high-speed vessels whilst technology for marine vessels develops further. The current policy makes lower-carbon fuel more expensive while leaving conventional diesel comparatively more attractive.

"This isn't about asking for special treatment. It's about making sure river transport is treated fairly and consistently alongside other public transport modes. Levelling up RTFC eligibility would remove an unnecessary barrier to the decarbonization journey and help operators continue investing in cleaner transport for London."

Paul Dale, Chief Operating Officer, Forth Ports (owners of the Port of Tilbury), commented on the need for greater support for switching to lower-carbon fuels, saying: "If the aim is to encourage businesses and transport operators to reduce emissions, it feels like there is a wider question around whether the current policy provides enough recognition and, crucially, incentive for those making the switch to lower-carbon fuels."

He added: "At Tilbury we've switched our port handling equipment over to HVO100 wherever we can. It's one of the most practical ways we've found to reduce emissions without having to replace perfectly good equipment.

"When the changes to red diesel were introduced, we looked closely at the options available to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and HVO100 has been a practical solution for our operations.

"The frustrating part is that, despite the environmental benefits and the investment businesses are making to move to renewable fuels, HVO is still taxed in the same way as diesel.”

GB Outrigger, Surfing England and British Triathlon, members of the Clean Water Sports Alliance:
The transition to cleaner, healthier waterways will only succeed if organisations across the water environment are empowered to play their part. We welcome the leadership shown by partners willing to invest in lower-emission solutions today and believe their efforts should be supported through clear and consistent policy.

Eve Joseph, Head of Social Impact, British Triathlon:
We recognise the leadership shown by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers - taking meaningful steps to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance on our waterways. It is understandable that concerns have been raised where changes to policy appear to make lower-carbon transition fuels less viable than the higher-emission alternatives they are intended to replace. If we are to accelerate environmental improvement across our rivers and estuaries, organisations investing in cleaner solutions need confidence that policy and environmental ambitions are working in the same direction."

Industry representatives say restoring RTFC eligibility would reinstate the policy framework that previously supported investment in renewable marine fuels across one of the UK's busiest waterways. With electric and hydrogen-powered vessels still several years away from widespread deployment, they argue HVO offers the most practical route to reducing emissions today while supporting the transition to zero-emission technologies.

The company also says several European countries, including Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands continue to provide stronger incentives for renewable marine fuels, placing the UK behind several European countries during the transition to zero-emission maritime transport.

The company says restoring RTFC eligibility would allow operators to reduce emissions immediately while maintaining momentum towards the next generation of zero-emission vessels.