UK's First Electric Sightseeing Vessel, Powered by VULKAN UK, Takes to the Thames
VULKAN UK has provided the electrical design expertise and power profiles that enables the Silver Raven, the UK’s first fully electric sightseeing vessel, to begin operation in autumn 2025.
Commissioned by Woods Tours, designed by One2Three Naval Architects, and built at Pendennis Shipyard in Cornwall, the 39-meter Silver Raven will carry up to 250 passengers per voyage. The vessel will navigate London’s central waterways, demonstrating that large-scale passenger operations can be carried out efficiently and sustainably with electric propulsion.
At the center of the vessel is a battery system specified by VULKAN UK: the EST Floattech Octopus Series, chosen for its durability, efficiency, and ability to power multiple daily journeys. This system is designed for rapid charging between tours.
Due to its design, the Silver Raven vessel is part of the UK's Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) program, a USD$276 million (£206m) initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonize the UK domestic maritime sector.
Tickets for the Tower of London River Tour are now available to book at www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/tower-of-london-river-tour/