Woolwich Ferry upgrades to diesel-electric

Two new River Thames ferries are to launch in February, replacing the existing 55-year-old fleet. The new boats, commissioned by local government body Transport for London (TfL), meet the city’s Low Emission Zone standards thanks to their diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. According to TfL, this means that the boats will be fuel efficient, make less noise and produce fewer emissions (filtering systems such as those used on London buses will reduce pollutants). A new high-tech mooring system for the boats is being installed at Woolwich and North Woolwich piers. The vessels were built at the Remontowa shipyard in Gda?sk, Poland. They will berth using magnetic technology, making them more stable to board and alight, according to TfL. The Ben Woollacott and the Dame Vera Lynn will each have the capacity to carry 150 passengers, and will feature four lanes of parking for vehicles as well as dedicated cycle spaces. They also offer step-free access. Berthing trials are currently underway. Caption: New Woolwich Ferry Ben Woollacott (credit: Remontowa)