Briggs Marine Wins London Ferry Contract

UK marine contractor Briggs Marine wins 7-year contract worth over £50 million with Transport for London (TfL) to operate cross-Thames ferry.

The contract will see Briggs Marine undertake operation and maintenance of the Woolwich Ferry service from 1st April 2013.

Working with London River Services Limited (LRS), a subsidiary of TfL, Briggs Marine will be responsible for daily operation of the ferry service, which links Woolwich and North Woolwich and the north and south circular roads across the River Thames. Briggs Marine’s service will also include maintenance of the TfL owned vessels including the ferries “James Newman”, “John Burns” and “Ernest Bevin” as well as all the associated landside infrastructure.

The Woolwich Ferry has operated across the River Thames since 1889. Today, the ferry carries around 20,000 vehicles and 50,000 passengers weekly, equating to just over a million vehicles and 2.6 million passengers a year.

Collieson Briggs, Managing Director of Briggs Marine and Environmental Services, said: “Transport for London conducted a rigorous competition before awarding the contract for the operation and maintenance of the Woolwich Ferry. We are delighted they have chosen to work with Briggs Marine, which is testament to the specialist skills and expertise that we possess and continue to develop."

He continued: “We are looking forward to working closely with London River Services and the Woolwich Ferry’s existing team both to deliver a seamless transition and also to continue to improve on the safety, reliability and efficiency of this vital transport link.”