Latest news and pictures from shipping on the Thames
STUNNING three masted barque Belem returned to the capital last week for the first time since the London 2012 Olympics. The historic tall ship was used as a floating hospitality base by the French Embassy during the Games which took place seven years ago. Built in 1896, Belem again visited West India Docks when she returned to London for last …
TYPE 23 frigate HMS Westminster sailed up the Thames last week for a port visit which included the ship’s company exercising their Freedom of the City of Westminster. The Duke-class ship arrived in London on the afternoon of the 5th August at the end of a five month deployment with NATO Standing Maritime Group One. During the port visit to …
ALMOST fifty hot air balloons took to the sky early yesterday morning for the 2019 Lord Mayor of London’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta. The colourful flotilla of balloons appeared crossed the Thames several times in the hour long spectacle that started shortly after sunrise. Forty six balloons in a variety of colours and shapes took off from Battersea Park in …
THE PORT of London Authority has installed pollution monitors either side of the Thames at Greenwich ahead of this year’s cruise season. Eight monitoring stations have been put up near to Greenwich Ship Tier to measure emissions from the ships while they are moored on the river. The equipment, which cost the PLA £80,000, was put in place before cruise …
THE LONGEST cruise ship to visit the Port of London made its maiden arrival on Thursday morning. Norwegian Pearl sailed up the river to moor at London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury, at about 8am. At 294 metres in length, she is the longest cruise ship to use the facility – beating the previous record holder – Mein Schiff 3 – …
THE LAST river crossings on the current fleet of Woolwich ferries will take place on Friday 5th October. The popular foot and vehicle crossing between Woolwich and North Woolwich will be out of action from Saturday until late December while work takes place on the piers to accommodate the brand new boats ordered by TFL. For local people it will …
THE stunning spectacle of what appeared to be Beluga Whale in the Thames greeted river watchers earlier today. Crowds from far and wide gathered along the foreshore east of Gravesend for a rare glimpse of the whale as it fed close to moored barges. It was reported to be the southern most sighting ever for the white cetacean which is more …
A NEW statue of the Queen was unveiled close to the River Thames at Gravesend today. The sculpture by Douglas Jennings MRBS was commissioned to commemorate the Queen who became the longest reigning British monarch in September 2015. The bronze statue, which sits on a plinth in St Andrew’s Gardens, has been funded by a number of private organisations and …
30,000 TONNE cruise ship Azamara Journey sailed up the River Thames on Saturday to complete her first round the world trip. The 102-day World Journey cruise started in Sydney in March and included visits to 28 countries before concluding in London at the weekend. 53 guests were on board the Azamara Club Cruises vessel for the whole of the 21,619 mile cruise …
THE QUEEN’S Row Barge Gloriana has again taken part in the traditional Tudor Pull from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London. The colourful annual event sees a flotilla of traditional craft rowed between the two historic riverside locations. A ‘stela’ was handed over to the custody of Her Majesty’s Bargemaster at Hampton Court and carried down the river …
