Norton Rose Fulbright advises Uber Boat by Thames Clippers on £59m financing

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Uber Boat by Thames Clippers on a £59 million secured financing package, made available by NatWest and Santander UK, to enable the expansion of its hybrid catamaran fleet and investment in shoreside infrastructure, including multiple new piers and a new dry-dock facility in the Port of Tilbury.

It is hoped the investment will support the wider transport network in London.

Founded in 1999, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers operates a fleet of 24 vessels (with two further vessels under construction) on passenger services along the river Thames through its network of piers.

The company, which has set a climate target of reducing its carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, will shortly launch the UK’s first electric cross-river ferry service between Canary Wharf and Rotherhithe.

The London-based Norton Rose Fulbright team working on the transaction was led by partner Andrew Williams, with support from senior associate Alexandra Mikelis and associate Ian Lam (banking and finance). They were assisted by partner David Hawkins, senior associate Peter Lewis and associate Sam Pearson (real estate); partners Paul Griffin and Matthew Findley, senior associate Fiona Campbell and associate Katharine Wadia (employment); partner Matthew Hodkin and associate Sduduzo Mhlongo (tax); and partner Chris Randall and senior associate Carl Boulva (corporate).

The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers team was led by Liam Hather (Chief Financial Officer) and Gareth Jones (Head of Legal and Group Company Secretary).

Recognised as a market leader in domestic and cross-border financings, Norton Rose Fulbright’s global team of asset finance lawyers act for a wide range of borrowers, lenders and investors including ship-owners, airlines, lessors, financial institutions and export credit agencies. The firm is ranked Band 1 for both ‘Asset Finance: Shipping Finance’ in Chambers UK and ‘Transport finance and leasing’ in Legal500.