From Albert to Alb-E: London’s First Fully Electric Workboat Sets Sail

Cross River Partnership (CRP), a non-profit and impartial partnership organisation, launched Alb-E, London’s first fully electric workboat, at Butler’s Wharf on 14th November 2023. CRP collaborated with the vessel’s operator, Net Zero Marine to convert the vessel from diesel to electric-powered.

Partially funded by Defra, the project took about 6 months, with most of the work taking place on Eel Pie Island, London. The converted vessel has now been named Alb-E, from Albert originally.

Before work on the vessel started, CRP monitored its emissions to quantify how much air pollution would be eliminated by the conversion. An analysis of the data from the monitoring exercise showed that 2.34 tonnes of carbon dioxide, 41.58 kg of nitrogen oxides and 0.012 kg of particulate matter per year have been removed by switching the vessel from diesel to electric.

Another benefit is the potential long-term cost savings from running an electric vessel. Based on fuel pricing in September 2023, Alb-E can cover 75 nautical miles on a single charge at £58. The same distance would have cost £246 if it was still powered by diesel. Alb-E has been received positively both domestically and abroad.

Miles Cole, Managing Director, Net Zero Marine, said: “The retrofit of the Alb-E shows how important organisations such as Cross River Partnership are for the River Thames. The marine sector has taken a step forward here and we hope that many workboats will follow in the footsteps of Alb-E.”

Jonathan Angus, Director, TMS Engineering, said: “We are pleased to have successfully helmed the creation of London’s inaugural carbon-neutral, electric vessel project. Our dedicated and passionate team met the challenge, working relentlessly to bring to life the vision of our partner, Net Zero Marine Services. Our team designed the electrical package to ensure a speed and range compatible with the needs of a workboat operating on the Thames. Alb-E sets a new benchmark with its capability to traverse the full length of the tidal Thames on a single charge.”

Sefinat Otaru, Project Manager, Cross River Partnership, said: “We are delighted to see the completion of Alb-E which used to be diesel-powered and is now London’s first fully electric workboat. We are grateful for the funding provided by Defra which enabled us to work with the vessel owner, Net Zero Marine, to eradicate the vessel’s emissions. We hope the project and Alb-E itself inspire other operators and stakeholders to take similar actions to tackle air quality along the Thames.”

The Thames is vital to London’s economic, environmental and social well-being. For several years now, CRP has explored reducing road traffic by using the river to move more light freight. Fewer delivery vans on the road means less traffic, less noise, and less air pollution. However, shifting to river freight shouldn’t mean shifting air quality, and CRP has worked with vessel operators to reduce air pollution. Previous projects include Clean Air Thames in which we refitted vessels’ exhaust systems to reduced NOx emissions.

For onward journeys away from the river, CRP continues to explore the use of zero or low emission last-mile deliveries and micro logistics hubs as part of its new Smarter Greener Logistics programme, which runs until December 2024.

CRP is unlocking potential and supporting innovation to provide London with alternative, clean freight modes, and delivering solutions that make London fairer, greener and safer. This initiative supports CRP’s vision to make London a better place to live, work and visit.