Fuel Cost 2026 – Surcharge Introduced

Waverley burns Marine Gas Oil (MGO) which heats the water in her twin boilers to generate steam, the steam is then used to drive her engine and turn the paddles. MGO is also used to create electrical power across the ship.

Over the past few weeks we have been closely monitoring the price of MGO ahead of Waverley’s 2026 summer season. Unfortunately we are now facing a severe price increase of over 65% compared to 2025. This level of increase is more than we can possibly bear or we will face the reality of not being able to meet the cost of the 2026-27 winter refit and dry docking.

Reluctantly, we have therefore had to introduce a modest Fuel Surcharge to partly meet the increased cost of fuel. The Fuel Surcharge will be introduced from Tuesday 14th April and will have two levels. A Fuel Surcharge of £2 will be applicable on Adult or Senior Fares under £45, or £4 on Adult and Senior Fares set at £45 or over. No Fuel Surcharge will be applicable on Child or Dog fares.

Key Fuel Price Figures:

  • At today’s price it will cost £13 PER MINUTE in fuel to sail Waverley (she is in steam for about 10-12 hours per day);
  • Fuel cost increase of over £3,000 PER DAY compared to 2025;
  • Fuel cost increase of £400,000 across the 2026 season;
  • An average ticket fare will afford us to purchase less than 4 minutes worth of fuel.

In addition to fuel costs there are many other costs associated with operating Waverley including berthing charges, crew wages, waste disposal, insurance, maintenance and marketing to meet. We will therefore put Waverley’s operation at risk if we cannot increase income to partly meet the increased cost of fuel.

The Fuel Surcharge will be kept under review as the season progresses and will be amended if the cost of fuel changes significantly.

We would warmly welcome donations from those who hold Sailing Passes, Go Anywhere Vouchers and Life Commodore Tickets since these have been sold without any Fuel Surcharge being taken into account.

We hope our customers and loyal supporters will appreciate the very difficult situation we now face in affording the fuel to operate Waverley this coming season which starts on Friday 8th May. Bookings are now open for all sailings up to Tuesday 22nd September. The London & Thames 2026 Timetable will be published soon.