The largest commercial operator on the Thames, based in Medway, has gone carbon neutral.

GPS Marine Contractors, in Lower Upnor, Rochester, operates a fleet of tugs and barges on the Thames, transporting more than 3.25million tonnes of construction-related cargo over the past two years.

It has recently changed its tugs from using marine gas oil to Green D+, a 100% renewable plant-based fuel derived from waste cooking oil.

It follows a deal to make the switch with Green Biofuels Ltd.

GPS CEO, John Spencer, explained: "Green D+ reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides by approximately 30% and particulates by about 80%. It also eliminates the emission of oxides of sulphur completely. It makes our fleet carbon neutral."

It has even commissioned a mobile fuel station carrying the green fuel from a riverside terminal at Dagenham.

Mr Spencer adds: "We hope that by making it possible to deliver Green D+ on the Thames by tanker barge, and thereby making the product available to all vessel operators, they too might be persuaded to change their vessels' fuel. It would bring about both a significant reduction in the environmental impact of vessels of the Thames and an improvement in the quality of London's air."

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