Thames Clippers warns fuel rules are hindering cleaner river transport 

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is calling on the UK government to reinstate Renewable Transport Fuel Certificate (RTFC) eligibility for vessels operating on tidal rivers and estuaries, arguing that current rules are pushing up the cost of lower-carbon fuel for river transport operators. 

The company says amendments to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) made in late 2025 resolved eligibility questions for aviation and certain non-biological maritime fuels, but left the status of tidal-river vessels using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) unaddressed. 

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers argues that the distinction creates an inconsistency between river transport and other public transport modes. It points to journeys in London where a bus and a scheduled river service can provide comparable public transport connections while using the same transition fuel, but only the bus remains eligible for RTFCs.

Cost impact on HVO uptake

According to Thames Clippers, removing RTFC eligibility has increased the cost of using HVO relative to conventional marine diesel. The company estimates that using HVO across its fleet has the potential to save an estimated 17,152 tonnes of CO2e, but that the fuel is currently nearly 50 per cent more expensive per litre than marine diesel.

Geoff Symonds, chief development officer at Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, said the policy was making it more difficult for operators to use lower-carbon fuels while marine propulsion technology continues to develop.

“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.”

Symonds said the company was seeking consistency in applying RTFC eligibility rather than a new form of financial support.

The company currently runs four hybrid vessels that operate on electric power in central London and carries more than six million passengers a year on the Thames. The vessels were introduced as part of the company’s move towards lower-emission propulsion, with the first hybrid boats entering service in 2022. 

It says renewable fuels like HVO offer a practical bridge while electric and hydrogen propulsion technologies continue to develop, and that restored RTFC eligibility would help operators sustain that transition.

Port sector raises similar concerns 

Forth Ports, owner of the Port of Tilbury, has voiced similar concerns. Chief operating officer Paul Dale says the situation raises broader questions about whether existing policy adequately incentivises businesses moving away from conventional fuels. 

Tilbury has already switched much of its handling equipment to HVO100, which Dale explains allowed emissions reductions without replacing existing plant. 

He also points to the continued taxation of HVO, and adds: “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.”

Sports organisations back policy consistency 

The Clean Water Sports Alliance, representing groups including GB Outrigger, Surfing England and British Triathlon, has also backed calls for policy consistency. 

Eve Joseph, head of social impact at British Triathlon, says her organisation recognised the emissions-reduction investment being made by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and understood industry concern that policy shifts risk making transition fuels less competitive than conventional options.

UK policy compared with Europe 

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has highlighted Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands as examples of  European markets where stronger support for renewable marine fuels remains in place, and is urging the UK to restore RTFC eligibility for tidal rivers and estuaries to narrow the cost gap with conventional diesel.