07.05.2008

Revival of Green Transport on the Thames

Port of London Authority Chairman Simon Sherrard today (7th May) officially named the tug Green London, the latest vessel to enter service with the Green Barge Company Ltd (GBCo).

PLA chairman Simon Sherrard names the 'Green London' (click on image to enlarge)

The ceremony took place at the RNR HQ HMS President, within sight of Tower Bridge. GBCo was formed last summer by a group of enterprising businessmen to provide sustainable, waterborne transport for materials heading to and from the Olympic and Stratford City regeneration sites.

George Tutt, Chairman of GBCo, said: "As a lighterman by profession, apprenticed more years ago than I care to remember, it is the most wonderful thing for me personally to be starting a new lighterage ccompany to serve London."

He added: "The inspiration for founding this the Green Barge Company was London winning the Olympic Games 2012. We realised that there would eventually be a need for waterborne freight to and from the Olympics site and set about getting our little team together. We are proud to be here today, adding life to Old Father Thames."

'Green London' at Tower Bridge (Click on image to enlarge)

The tug was blessed during the ceremony by the Reverend Jennie Hogan, Associate Priest at All Hallows by the Tower, - the oldest church in the City, and the one most closely connected by tradition to the Thames and the sea.

The Green London left Greenwich after the ceremony to collect a barge-load of excavated material from the Lovell's Wharf development site. This was to be unloaded at Green Barge's wharf at the Port of Tilbury, where it has a seven-acre site.

The company’s first barge, Green Heart, was named by Olympic hero Sir Steve Redgrave last November; since then, the company has expanded its fleet so that as well as the Green London, it owns two further tugs and a 55-metre motor barge.

For further information, please contact Roger Mutton - 01483 223308

Notes to Editors

• The Green Barge Company Ltd (GBC) was formed twelve months ago with the objective of providing a waterborne freight delivery service, initially to the east end of London
• It aims to offer a viable alternative to road and rail transport into this part of London, thus reducing pollution from traffic exhaust emissions, noise and congestion in the area around the Olympic site during and after the building of the facilities
• The GBC wants to set a "green stamp" across the process as far as transportation of materials to and from the site goes

The Company

The Company has 7 acres of open storage area at the Port of Tilbury beside the barge dock. Its joint expertise includes Chartered Surveying, Facilities Management and Logistics through its associated property and facilities company and Lighterage. It is a London based enterprise; its directors jointly have over 50 years experience of working on the River Thames. For more information visit the Company's website (opens in a new window).