Live Tides
NOTICES TO MARINERS
Charts & Surveys
Incident reporting
Life-threatening emergencies on the river:
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard
For near miss, safety observations and incident reporting click below
2030 Action Plan
Delivering on the comprehensive Thames Vision 2050 demands short, medium and long term actions
We are regularly capturing the principal goals in our dynamic and evolving action plan, and will update to reflect progress. We work with multiple partners across the port, river and wider stakeholder community.
Trading Thames
PLA, with partner support
ACTION / TIMELINE
Provide cost effective services to port and river uses / Ongoing
Continue investment in pilotage to provide consistent service reliability +98% / Ongoing
Dredge main shipping channel to enhance port access and operational windows / Ongoing
Reactivate three safeguarded wharves and intensify use of already operational sites / By 2030
Lead development of the light freight market on the Thames / New services established by 2025
Secure Thames boatyard development at Albert Island, Newham / Operational by 2024
Partners, with PLA support
ACTION / PARTNERS / TIMELINE
Leverage Thames Freeport status to grow trade and level up local communities / Thames Freeport partners / In full operation
Invest in cargo handling facilities to serve UK and export markets / Port and terminal operators /London Gateway Berth 4 construction underway as of October 2022; Completion set for 2024; First phase of Tilbury 3 operational 2026
Keep main port approach channels depth under review, ensuring port remains competitive/ Terminal operators; if dredge advanced, regulators including Marine Management Organisation and Environment Agency / 2025
Construction of Lower Thames Crossing / National Highways / Development programme updated
Secure additional railfreight infrastructure, through Network Rail Control Period 7 (2024-29) and secure more intensive use of existing infrastructure to support low carbon, multi modal operations / Network Rail, Department for Transport, Port operators / Active advocacy through to 2024
Develop and implement pier adaptation plans, where appropriate, to support the development of light freight operations / Transport for London, Thames Estuary Growth Board, Cross River Partnership, pier owners / Study to inform developments
Destination Thames
Port of London Authority
ACTION / TIMELINE
Enable safe and appropriate public use of the tidal Thames foreshore / Improved foreshore access guidance programme by end 2023
Commission and publish study on the business and public benefit case for electric ferry river crossings / Report during 2023
Partners, with PLA support
ACTION / PARTNERS / TIMELINE
Expand passenger pier/route network / Vessel operators, riverside property developers, GLA, Transport for London / Agree a target number for new piers by early 2023
Develop and stage a major, maritime event on the Thames to drawing people to the river and its banks and to help attract inward investment / London & Partners, GLA, key Thames side boroughs, river operators, Thames Estuary Growth Board /
Event in 2025, to coincide with Tideway Tunnel opening
Active Thames partnership focus supporting improved access, diversity and inclusion /
London Sport, Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, Canal & River Trust, Thames Path National Trail and National Governing Bodies / Active Thames funding awarded; secure a new riverside multi-sport location by 2025
Develop and promote a series of Thames-based walks, across the city, Essex and Kent / Thames Path National Trail, Ramblers Association, Thames Estuary Growth Board, Thames Estuary Partnership and community groups / Five new walks delivered by end of 2023
Natural Thames
Port of London Authority
ACTION / TIMELINE
Stop all releases of sewage from all commercial passenger vessels into the river /
By mid-2024
Facilitate access to environmental data in relation to vessel emissions, biodiversity and foreshore litter / Proposal due end of 2023, with implementation to follow in 2024.
Leverage the opportunity for Biodiversity Net Gain to improve status and quantum of high quality, resilient Thames habitats / Initial Defra-funded assessment project to complete by end 2023
Partners, with PLA support
ACTION / PARTNERS / TIMELINE
Complete Tideway Tunnel and bring it into operation / Tideway, Thames Water /
2025
Advocate for further reduction in untreated sewage releases in Thames including upstream of Teddington / Ofwat, Environment Agency, Thames Water, Thames 21, other civil society groups / Ongoing
Increase percentage of the foreshore in good condition, assessed by rapid litter appraisals / Thames21, other community groups / 75% graded B or above (predominately free of litter) end by 2022; long-term target to be agreed with Litter Forum partners
Joint advocacy to reduce the flow of plastics, micro plastics and non-biodegradables into the Thames / Thames Litter Forum, Keep Britain Tidy, Thames21 / Ongoing
Cross Cutting Actions
PLA, with partner support
ACTIONS / TIMELINE
Develop Thames masterplan, matching Vision actions and goals to wider planning and other policy guidance / Bexley plan published; Tower Hamlets and Newham in process
Set up Thames Vision delivery Board of key partners, to track and review progress / December 2022
Invest in new Marine Control Centre at Gravesend, with flexible new port control technology / Operational by 2026
Ensure growth in river traffic is managed safely for all river users, including recreational vessels / Ongoing
Convene the Thames Net Zero Coalition, to accelerate low carbon development on the Thames / Established in 2022
Achieve Net Zero for PLA operations / 2040, or earlier
Invest in first electric charging point operation on the Thames / Complete summer 2022
Develop and maintain a clear and robust regulatory framework for the safe transportation, bunkering and use of alternative fuels on the Thames / Working group with MCA, HSE and TEGB to report by 2023, see also Hydrogen Highway
Establish scope for zero emission berth development / Subject to internal review
Improve diversity of PLA workforce / Annual reporting in PLA Report & Accounts
Establish Thames engagement benchmark and target outreach activities to less connected communities / 2023
Partners, with PLA support
ACTIONS / PARTNERS / TIMELINE
Regulations to limit the operation of Class V historic passenger vessels, in line with Maritime & Coastguard Agency proposals / Maritime & Coastguard Agency / Statutory Instrument to introduce the regulations passed by Commons committee, October 2022
Continuous Professional Development for masters and unsupervised watchkeepers on intra port vessels / Company of Watermen & Lightermen, Thames Skills Academy and all Thames operators / Implementation from 2023 (voluntary); mandatory from January 2024
Deliver actions in the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum Drowning Prevention Strategy / Maritime & Coastguard Agency, RNLI, London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police (Marine Policing Unit), London Ambulance Service, City of London Corporation, City of London Police and Transport for London / Deliver all six objectives of the Drowning Prevention Strategy by 2024
Invest in clean maritime fuels, zero-emission vessels, alternative propulsion systems, and landside infrastructure, including shore power / Thames Estuary Growth Board, vessel and terminal operators / Ongoing
Champion and facilitate the development of a Thames Estuary-centred hydrogen ecosystem / Thames Estuary Growth Board and partners / Ongoing; see Hydrogen Route Map
Establish the Thames as a centre for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology use / Cory / 2030
Thames Estuary 2100 programme review and delivery / Environment Agency/TE2100 team / Latest consultation closed November 2022
Completed clean maritime demonstrator projects, including self-propelled autonomous barge feasibility assessment / Thames Clippers, Cory, plus BAE Systems / Completed and findings reported
Recruitment and retention of employees from diverse backgrounds / River operators, working with Thames Skills Academy and Maritime UK / Ongoing
Active Thames partnership focus supporting improved access and opportunity / PLA, London Sport, Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, British Canoeing, British Rowing, Canal & River Trust and Thames Path National Trail / Annual grant programme to support projects improving access; See Active Thames for more information.
Explore the Thames Vision 2050
The Thames Vision is built around three interconnected themes, centred on the role the river plays for people and the environment.
The No. 1 Net Zero UK commercial hub
The country’s largest and most competitive port, closest to the UK’s biggest market, producing Net Zero emissions. Improved connectivity to road and rail infrastructure. Technologically innovative, expanding the transportation of light freight into central London as urban logistics transform.
A place to live, visit, play and enjoy
Accessible to all, a national and international icon for the city and the country. More visitors, drawn to the river as the best way to enjoy London and the Thames Estuary, and its many cultural attractions. More people from diverse backgrounds enjoying sport and leisure opportunities on the Thames.
Clear air, water and land
A clean river, free of sewage, waste and other pollution, supporting greater biodiversity and recreational use. Valued for its clean air, natural flood defence, wildlife and as a carbon sink.
