Doulton Bridging Finance compares the whole UK lender market for ferry and passenger vessel finance - from river crossings and water taxis to tourist excursion boats and RoPax ferries. We work with nine specialist lenders and clearing banks and can source terms from 5.5% per annum with up to 80% LTV and terms to 12 years.
Ferry & Passenger Vessel Finance - All Lenders Compared (October 2026)
| Lender | Finance Type | Indicative Rate | Min Loan | Max Loan | Max LTV | Max Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close Brothers Asset Finance | HP / Hire Purchase | 7–11% | £50,000 | £2,000,000 | 80% | 10 years |
| Lombard | Finance Lease | 6–10.5% | £500,000 | No published cap | 80% | 12 years |
| Shawbrook Business Credit | Secured Business Loan | 7.5–13% | £100,000 | £1,000,000 | 75% | 7 years |
| Hampshire Trust Bank | Secured Term Loan | 7.5–12.5% | £150,000 | £3,000,000 | 80% | 10 years |
| NatWest Business | Commercial Loan | 5.5–9.5% | £500,000 | No published cap | 80% | 12 years |
| HSBC UK Business | Commercial Loan | 5.5–9% | £500,000 | No published cap | 80% | 12 years |
| Paragon Bank | Secured Business Loan | 7–12% | £100,000 | £2,000,000 | 75% | 8 years |
| Wesleyan Bank | Asset Finance | 7–11.5% | £75,000 | £1,000,000 | 75% | 7 years |
| Clydesdale Bank / Virgin Money | Commercial Loan | 6.5–10% | £300,000 | No published cap | 80% | 10 years |
Rates indicative for October 2026. Subject to status, survey, and MCA coding. Actual rates depend on borrower covenant, vessel condition, LTV, and term. Compare best rates in detail →
Vessel Types We Finance
River Ferries
Fixed-route crossings on rivers and estuaries. Typical values £200k–£1.5m. Often contract-backed by local authorities. River ferry finance →
RoPax Ferries
Roll-on/roll-off passenger ferries carrying vehicles and passengers. Larger ticket (£1m–£20m+). RoPax finance →
Tourist & Excursion Boats
Coastal and inland pleasure cruisers, sightseeing vessels, and harbour tours. Tourist boat finance →
Water Taxis & Launches
Scheduled urban water services and passenger launches. Typically £75k–£500k. Served by Wesleyan, Paragon, and Close Brothers.
Finance Types Available
Hire Purchase (HP) - you own the vessel throughout; fixed monthly payments; capital allowances apply. Best for operators who want ownership certainty and predictable costs.
Finance Lease - lender retains legal title; VAT on rentals is reclaimable for VAT-registered operators; longer terms available. Best for larger VAT-registered operators maximising cashflow.
Secured Term Loan - bank loan secured on the vessel; flexible structure; suitable for refinancing or where LP/asset-finance products are unsuitable.