Shawbrook Business Credit Ferry Finance - Rate Table (October 2026)
| Finance Type | Indicative Rate | Min Loan | Max Loan | Max LTV | Max Term | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured Business Loan | 7.5–13% p.a. | £100,000 | £1,000,000 | 75% | 7 years | Flexible underwriting for specialist operators; can consider charter income |
Rates indicative for October 2026. Subject to status, MCA survey and coding. Contact us for a tailored quotation. Compare all 9 lenders →
About Shawbrook Business Credit and Ferry/Passenger Vessel Finance
Shawbrook Business Credit occupies a distinctive niche in the UK specialist lending market: it is a deposit-taking bank prepared to consider commercial passenger-vessel finance cases that mainstream lenders find too complex or too small. Their secured business loan product is structured as a term loan rather than asset finance, which gives greater flexibility around how the vessel is owned, operated, and accounted for - particularly useful for operators who charter their vessels to third parties or run complex multi-entity fleet structures.
Rates at Shawbrook for ferry and passenger-vessel finance run from 7.5% for strong covenant borrowers with clean credit and MCA-coded vessels, up to 13% for more marginal cases including first-time operators, vessels with historic issues, or businesses with unconventional income streams such as irregular charter contracts. Loans are available from £100,000 to £1 million, with LTVs capped at 75% - meaning a 25% deposit or equity stake is generally required.
Shawbrook's underwriting approach is more manual and relationship-driven than many larger lenders, which can work in the borrower's favour when the case has nuances a credit scorecard would not handle well. They are comfortable with seasonal businesses, tourism operators, and passenger-vessel owners who supplement regular route income with private charter work.
Strengths
- Flexible underwriting accommodates mixed income streams including seasonal revenue, charter income, and public-sector contracts.
- Accessible minimum of £100,000 - suitable for smaller tourist boats, water taxis, and river-ferry operators.
- Will consider first-time commercial vessel buyers with relevant sector experience and a credible business plan.
- Faster decision process than clearing banks - typically 7–10 working days for a well-packaged application.
Limitations
- Rates at the higher end (up to 13%) reflect the risk appetite; operators with strong financials can access cheaper money from NatWest, HSBC, or Lombard.
- Maximum loan of £1 million excludes larger vessel purchases or fleet refinancing above that threshold.
- LTV capped at 75% means a larger deposit is required compared to lenders offering 80% - an important cashflow consideration for vessel upgrades.
Is Shawbrook Right for My Vessel?
Shawbrook is a strong option for passenger-vessel operators who have been declined by mainstream lenders, are in the early stages of building a trading history, or who run mixed business models combining scheduled routes with charter activity. Their flexibility comes at a cost, so operators with clean financials and strong covenants should benchmark Shawbrook's rates against NatWest, HSBC, and Lombard.
As a whole-of-market broker, Doulton Bridging Finance compares Shawbrook Business Credit against all other lenders before making a recommendation. See all lenders →