Leading wet civil and environmental engineering firm, Land & Water Group, has upgraded Berth 3 at Coldharbour Jetty, on the River Thames, to accommodate coaster vessels, used for short sea shipping, as part of a landmark development for the company.

It is the first time in the jetty’s history that this type of vessel has been berthed and loaded as part of an ongoing commitment towards supporting cargo deliveries in and out of London. The modifications to the berth were designed by Hewson Consulting and works were undertaken by Land & Water Services. The jetty will be operated by Land & Water Remediation, the environmental services division of Land & Water Group.

Tom Melhuish, Director of Land & Water Remediation, comments, “This is an incredible achievement and one that we are immensely proud of here at Land & Water. The berth upgrade will unlock future supply chains into London whilst harnessing the River Thames as a sustainable transport system.

“Land & Water is passionate about delivering innovative and sustainable logistical solutions that benefit the environment as well as the UK’s infrastructure. I want to thank the Port of London Authority, Hewson Consulting Engineers and M4S Maritime for helping to bring the berth into operation.”

David Allsop, Deputy Harbour Master at the Port of London Authority, said: “It’s exciting to see the Thames’ potential being utilised to introduce a new export service. This project is another boost for the Thames Vision 2050, which we launched last year, with the aim of maximising the long-term economic, environmental and social potential of the river from Teddington in south west London to the North Sea.”

Coldharbour Jetty is a marine logistics centre for shipping and barging operations, acting as an intermodal transport hub for materials and cargoes to be imported and exported. It also handles waste spoils from construction works in central London destined for reuse at Land & Water’s Habitat Creation Scheme at Rainham Marshes. The scheme, which Land & Water will be operating until 2040, will see up to eight million tonnes of wet and dry spoil material being used to create an oasis for birds and wildlife whilst encouraging greater areas of greenery along the Thames corridor.
 

An anchor, believed to date back to the late 1800s, recovered from the Thames riverbed near Gravesend by the Port of London Authority (PLA) is being renovated at Chatham Historic Dockyard, ahead of going on public display.

In February 2022, PLA divers hauled the anchor from the river at Northfleet after a hydrographic survey identified it as a risk to navigation.

The PLA’s head of marine services, Jim Denby said: “We were surprised by the size of the anchor and the fact that it was still in one piece, completely intact and in good condition.

“There is no record of how this could have come to be in the riverbed and no report of any vessels losing it.

“We look forward to seeing how the conservators at Chatham Historic Dockyard can restore it.”

The anchor is currently residing in a treatment bath, awaiting further conservation to avoid drying out and subsequently surface cracking.

Karoline Sofie Hennum, conservator for Chatham Historic Dockyard trust, explains: “As the anchor has been resting on the seabed for quite some time, it has started rusting. We estimate the conservation process could take up to two years to complete due to the anchor’s size. When this has been completed, I will treat the surface with a wax/coating to protect it from external deterioration sources. I am really looking forward to collaborating with our Heritage Engineering and Historic Ships Manager, James Morgan, to ensure the anchor survives for many more years to come.”

Svitzer introduced carbon neutral biofuel across its Thames-based fleet in 2022, offering customers a new, cleaner towage service called Ecotow. The Ecotow product exclusively uses sustainable second-generation biofuels, produced using waste material such as used cooking oil as feedstocks and are certified by ISSC or RSB. Relative to marine diesel, these biofuels reduce carbon emissions by 100% on a tank-to-wake basis and about 90% on a well-to-wake basis. Use of the fuel was successfully trialled on the Thames, home to the UK’s largest port, in 2021.

Thames Green Scheme, launched in 2020, recognises early adopters of new technologies and fuels to create a cleaner and healthier environment for people and wildlife. Svitzer progressed from silver status in the scheme to gold, following the adoption of marine biofuel and use of shore power for six vessels based at the PLA’s operations site Denton in Gravesend.

Alistair Gale, PLA’s director of corporate affairs and strategy, said: “It is great to see a global organisation like Svitzer leading the way in adopting new technologies, improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions. This is good news for the tidal Thames, home to the UK’s leading port, where we are driving together towards a Net Zero future.”

Thames Vision 2050, launched last September, sets out the goal for the Port of London to remain the UK’s leading port, central to the nation’s economy, with Net Zero emissions. The PLA is targeting Net Zero in its own operations by 2040, or earlier.

Also committed to becoming fully carbon neutral by 2040, Svitzer has been making impressive progress in the last two years, announcing the design of the world’s first fuel cell tug for harbour operations, running on green methanol, in cooperation with Maersk, and the build of the next generation multipurpose tug, TRAnsverse Tug, which will be lighter in design, consume less fuel and be ground-breaking in its use of future carbon neutral fuels.

Cliff Chow, port manager for Svitzer in London, said: “It is a great honour for Svitzer to be awarded the Thames Green Scheme Gold accreditation. Environmental responsibility is deeply integrated in our strategy, and we invest significantly in finding the right paths to meeting our ambitious decarbonisation targets. This gold status is a nice testament to the strides we are making.”

The PLA’s Thames Green Scheme is a voluntary, free-of-charge scheme for all inland commercial and services vessel operators to join and demonstrate their environmental performance.

The Port of London Authority (PLA), which oversees operations in the UK’s largest port, will launch ‘Safe Boarding Week’ this month, the first of its kind in Europe.

The week-long safety initiative, from Monday 27 February to Sunday 5 March 2023, aims to increase awareness of safe access to and from vessels, and highlight the importance the PLA places on safety on the 95 miles of the tidal Thames that it manages.

Safe access to and from the varied range of vessels on the Thames, including pilot ladders onto ships, as well as ship to shore access at berths, terminals, jetties, and piers, is a key concern for the PLA. Inspired by Panama Canal Authority (ACP)’s Safe Boarding Week, an annual event since the late ‘80s, the PLA decided to initiate its own safety event, which aligns with its proactive approach to safety and safe boarding

PLA’s chief harbour master Bob Baker said:

“We continue to engage with berths and terminals where difficulties in providing gangway access are known to exist, and deficient boarding arrangements are frequently reported. Safety is at the heart of the what the PLA does every day; ‘Safe Boarding Week’ aims to increase awareness of the PLA’s commitment to safe vessel access on the River Thames.”

During the seven days of Safe Boarding Week, the PLA aims to inspect the boarding facilities of 200 cargo and passenger vessels, as well as terminal operators, jetties, and piers. The results of these comprehensive assessments will enable the PLA to influence further improvements to safe boarding on the River Thames.

The responsibility for safe access on and off the vessels on the tidal Thames is shared between the master of the ship/vessel, in respect to Safe Access regulations, and the jetty or terminal operators, many of whom elect to abide to the Port Marine Safety Code.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) is investing £800,000 in replacing the roof and refurbishing the interior of Royal Terrace Pier, Gravesend, a Grade II listed building that dates from the 1840s. Work began in September 2022 and the roof replacement is due to be completed in April 2023.

Royal Terrace Pier is the base for vessels in the PLA’s pilotage, hydrographic and harbour service operations. The Pier is also home to Gravesend lifeboat station, which is manned 24 hours a day.

PLA’s Civil Engineer Nick Jordan said:

“This is a major refurbishment, which is being fully managed by the PLA’s Civil Engineering team. The project includes the use of local roofing specialists and uses Welsh slate, which is in keeping with the original materials used on this important and historic building. Once this is completed, the interior will be refurbished which will secure the future use of the building.”

Royal Terrace Pier was named such as it was where Princess Alexandra of Denmark, later Queen Alexandra, landed in the 1880s before her marriage to the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII. The PLA purchased the pier in the early 2000’s from Alexandra Towage.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has begun a major masterplanning exercise to realise the growth opportunities along the Thames, and help integrate the river into the economy and lives of communities, as it starts implementing Thames Vision 2050.

Thames Vision 2050, is the river development framework launched late last summer at London’s City Hall. The tidal river is already home to the UK’s largest port and busiest inland waterway, a crucible for sporting talent and a unique natural habitat. The Vision sets out future priorities for the river around three themes:

• Trading Thames – the No.1 Net Zero UK trading centre
• Destination Thames – a place to live, visit, play and enjoy
• Natural Thames – clean air, water, and land, supporting diverse wildlife

Drawing on the PLA’s unique mix of marine and planning expertise, the masterplanning process will capture all potential strategic opportunities on the river and provide clarity in decision-making processes and as a tool for investment decisions. It will be developed with, and is expected to become a key tool for, partners and local authorities along the Thames.

“The Vision sets out the high-level ambitions for the river,” explained James Trimmer, director of planning and development at the PLA. “Through the masterplanning process we will build in the local detail, drawing out the opportunities for trade, travel, sport and nature along the Thames and its riparian hinterland.

“The masterplan will pick out the existing operations and potential options for development around trading and destination activities, and further improvements to the natural environment for each borough, including options for the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain. Once complete, it will equip us with a clear spatial articulation of the ambition set out in the Vision, informing future planning and investment decisions.”

The 95 miles of the tidal Thames covers 22 boroughs and councils. In the initial phase of development, the PLA expects to work with the London boroughs of Bexley and Newham, and councils in the Thames Gateway. Masterplan development will be advanced at local level over the next 18 months; a river wide consultation will take place once the overall masterplan has been developed. Outline discussions have already started with overarching partners, including the Environment Agency, Greater London Authority and Thames Estuary Growth Board.

PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer commented:

“The interface of riverbank and water, trade and environment, culture and sport can often seem a daunting, sometimes confusing mix. We are experts in the complexity of managing the point where river and land meets. As a result, we are uniquely placed to bring the key people together to develop the masterplan, which will be essential to making the most of the river over the long term.”

The masterplanning process will draw on forecasts and studies completed through the development of the Vision, together with bespoke work. These show that the river will be busier than ever in the future: up to 50% more cargo is expected to be moved than today; the scheduled passenger services network will grow; interest in the river for moving light freight and keeping white vans off the city streets is stronger than ever. There is a strong commitment to make watersports activity available to wider and more varied communities, through the Active Thames programme (https://activethames.co.uk/).

Thames masterplanning is part of the Vision Action Plan, which reflects the priority areas of: safety, net zero transition, resilience, technology and access and inclusion. To support growing river use, the PLA has committed as part of the action plan to developing a new marine control centre at its main base in Gravesend, its largest single investment in more than ten years.

Full details of the Vision, Action Plan, forecasts and supporting films can be found at: https://thamesvision.pla.co.uk/.

Active Thames, led by the Port of London Authority (PLA), has awarded £150,000 in grants to 26 successful applicants. The increase in funding from over £90,000 last year to nearly £150,000 this year demonstrates the continuing commitment Active Thames partners have made to promoting activity on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent, and Essex.

Active Thames aims to encourage groups that are less likely to engage in physical activity on the river, including individuals from ethnically diverse communities, lower socio-economic groups, and people with disabilities.

The recipients of this year’s round of funding cover a wide range of activities, including sailing, paddlesports, rowing and, for the first time this year, walking.

The funding will reach a diverse range of groups along the tidal Thames and inland waterways, from SilverFit, which aims to promote happier, healthier aging through physical activity, to South London Scouts, which works with 14-25 year olds and ensures that those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are able to take part in all their activities.

Jenny Cooper, PLA sports manager, said:

“Building on the success of last year's grants, 2023 Active Thames funding will help deliver our Thames Vision: more people using the river for leisure.

“All the successful applicants have demonstrated how they will help us to achieve the goals of Active Thames, which is to make the river more inclusive, diverse and accessible to all."

This is a full list of the successful grant applicants:

The AHOY Centre, based in Deptford, will host the East London Instructor Programme, to tackle the shortage of qualified coaches in London, Kent and Essex and strengthen the future of sailing. An investment of £17,400 into the watersports workforce will support young sailors to qualify as instructors. Local clubs can signpost young people to this programme and see them progress into coaching.

A further £2,700 grant will help the centre to change lives through rowing and sailing.

AquaPaddle who organises paddleboarding sessions for individuals and groups who would not be able to do so otherwise due to their financial hardship, disability, or social circumstances, will receive a £5,000 award to provide at least 100 stand-up paddleboarding sessions in central and east London.

Blue Therapy Active is a thriving community of people who enjoying being on, in or near the water. Offering paddlesports, swimming, walking and cycling to the people of Essex, the group continues to expand and is in need of more equipment. £4,980 will support the club to engage with more people over the coming year and build on the achievements of last year’s Active Thames grant.

Cambria Sea Scouts, working in Greenhithe and Dartford, will receive a grant of £3,105, to be able to offer six powerboat courses, ten VHF radio courses, and 12 First Aid courses. They also intend to offer sailing sessions for the wider community at a low cost.

Erith Yacht Club will receive a grant of £5,000 for several initiatives. Volunteers will be sponsored to achieve RYA Senior and Dinghy Instructor qualifications, the club will purchase a Drascombe lugger and be better-equipped to provide sessions for people with disabilities, and the club will continue to work closely with their local activity centre, Danson Park Adventures, so that young people taking part in sport on the lake can progress their skills and enjoy the Thames.

Fulham Reach Boat Club’s state school rowing project will be supported by a £5,000 grant. Young people in Years 9-13 will be given the opportunity to row on the Thames in Hammersmith without any financial barriers. The club will work with schools to ensure the students selected are those who are likely to benefit from rowing the most and, if young people want to continue to row, they will be able to sign up as members.

Building on the success of last year’s project, which also received funding from Active Thames, Gravesend Sailing Club needs a new safety boat to support club and community sessions. A grant of over £3,000 will enhance the safety provision at the club and to do more to work with local groups, such as the Sea Cadets.

Laburnum Boat Club will be able to continue their Inclusive Waters project for a second year. It will also mean they can expand the project to include walking trips and introduce young people to the Thames Path. Disadvantaged youths will benefit from kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and walking. The grant of £4,956 will also help to upskill the coaches at the charity and support their development too.

The Leaside Trust in East London will receive a grant of £2,400 and provide a girls’ club that builds upon their engagement with the Orthodox Jewish community, supporting canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding sessions. This grant will support the outreach of the East London charity, who work with around 6,000 people a year.

London Youth Rowing’s Active Row programme has a commitment of £20,000 a year for the next two years, which will be used to expand to work with schools in Gravesend. Schools will be provided with coaching and indoor rowing machines to set up a club, and progress to rowing on the water at Gravesend Rowing Club in the spring and summer.

Lower Thames Rowing Club, based at Old Leigh and Two Tree Island in Essex, has established a strong link with mental health charity Trust Links. With a grant of £5,000 and existing club funds, they will purchase a new rowing boat, which will allow them to offer more taster sessions, and continue their work with Trust Links.

Margate Yacht Club is in need of a new engine for their safety boat, so that they can confidently provide a reliable and safe environment for people to learn and participate in dinghy sailing, canoeing and paddleboarding. £5,000 will provide most of the funding needed to purchase a new engine at the club.

Newham Ability Camp is a pan disability sports group running 3 activity sessions a week. The club founder, Paul Archer, is looking forward to being able to offer people the chance to take part in rowing again this summer with a grant of £400. The club had a very positive experience on the water last year with the support of coaches from London Youth Rowing.

The Pirate Castle has several community programmes in place, such as after-school clubs and holiday programmes for young people, LGBTQ+ Rainbow paddlers, and an ‘Upper-Deckers’ club for over 50s. £4,970 will develop 12 new coaches and instructors, which in turn will help deliver the programmes.

A grant of over £4,800 will enable Poplar Harca, a housing association, to build on a successful pilot project they have been working on with Moo Canoes. Women from the area will complete the Paddle Discover award, and kickstart a new boat club on the canal. Funding will also provide swimming sessions, boosting the confidence and skills of the women involved.

The Proper Blokes Club is a community project for men’s mental health. £5,000 will support more walk and talks along the Thames Path national trail, and the club hopes to double their membership over the coming year. They run regular walks in several areas along the Thames in South London, including Greenwich, Woolwich and Southwark.

The Ramblers will receive over £8,000 to develop two projects; guided walks along the Thames Path and the England Coast Path, as well as walk-leader training days for community groups and leaders who wish to organise walking sessions. It is hoped that this grant, managed by the Ramblers, will be helpful to other applicants who wanted to develop walk leaders.

Re-Instate is a charity working to improve employment opportunities, quality of life and well-being for disadvantaged people in the London Borough of Bexley including people experiencing mental ill-health, people with learning disabilities, autistic adults and young people. £5,000 will support the 215 Smiles project to run two weekly walking groups on the Thames path: one for people with learning disabilities and another for people experiencing mental ill-health.

A grant of £6,000 will support two projects at the Sea-Change Sailing Trust. The trust will provide a sailing residential for people with disabilities aboard the engineless traditional Thames barge the Blue Mermaid, targeting community groups in Kent and Essex. The funding will also enable them to train up 6 new recruits, helping to secure the future of Thames sailing barges.

Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre has a strong reputation for developing the young people they work with into water sports coaches. A grant of over £4,000 will support Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre’s adventure coach training scheme, supporting young people to become qualified as outdoor activity instructors.

SilverFit, founded by the UK’s oldest female Ironman triathlete, aims to promote happier, healthier aging through physical activity and, at the same time, combat social isolation. £5,860 will support the charity through developing new Nordic walking leaders, who will run sessions along the Thames Path in Kingston. SilverFit will source new members through targeted outreach into deprived communities, and through GP referrals (social prescribing).

South London Scouts aims to triple the number of 14-25 years olds they work with over the next three years. Canoeing expeditions and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme are made available to young people, with support mechanisms in place to ensure those from lower socio-economic backgrounds can take part in all of their activities. £3,500 will support their work and cover the cost of training and qualifications for the volunteers who run the scout group.

Thames Barbarians is a pilot gig rowing club based in Gravesend. Supported by Active Thames in 2022, this year’s grant of £5,000 will help maintain their momentum in club growth. They will continue to provide open days for people to try out fixed seat rowing and recruit new members, whilst also growing their competitive section.

A grant of £2,000 will launch a series of Cool Walks and support the Rewilding Arcadia project run by Thames Landscape Strategy. As well as exercise, the walks will boost mental well-being and provide companionship. They hope to increase the activity levels of people who might normally find walking challenging.

Building on the success of last year’s Visually Impaired Paddling programme, Tower Hamlets Canoe Club has secured over £3,000, which will allow them to continue to run beginner courses and offer paddling trips away from the basin. The club will also purchase equipment to adapt to the needs of blind and visually impaired paddlers, such as audio guiding equipment and lights.

Writtle University College will soon be able to offer stand-up paddleboarding to their community of students, local schools, youth groups and disability groups. Having already invested in a jetty for the on-campus reservoir, new equipment will help launch the reservoir as a new space to be active. With strong existing links to charities such as Chelmsford Disability Club, Writtle are looking forward to making a conscious effort to run multiple inclusive sessions, as well as events, open days and work experience opportunities.

Strong applications that build on last year’s grants to Sport Works and Herne Bay Sailing Club have also been put forward for Sport England funding, and a further £1500 will be provided to the sailing community.