P&O PIONEER © GSI

First of P&O Ferries two new double-ended giants for its Dover-Calais service has been delivered

FerryThe first of P&O Ferries giant double-enders for its Dover-Calais service has been delivered from China's Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). The 47,394 gt P&O PIONEER will be followed by its sister P&O LIBERTÈ in the fourth quarter this year.

Designed by Denmark's OSK-ShipTech, the 230.5m x 30.8m ro-paxes will be able to carry up to 1,500 passengers and 3,600 lanemetres of freight.

Both vessels will be the largest ferries ever to operate between Dover and Calais and their double-ender design will ensure faster turnaround times at both ports, as they will feature two main bridges at either end of each vessel.
Both vessels are being built at a cost of GBP 220 million, and P&O Ferries has an option with Guangzhou Shipyard International on a further two vessels.

P&O PIONEER and P&O LIBERTÈ feature a diesel-battery hybrid propulsion system, comprising four Wärtsilä 16V31 diesel engines, each driving a ABB Azipod DO1600 podded propulsion unit, and 8.8 MWh batteries provided by the Freudenberg Group's subsidiary XALT Energy. Each ferry will be able to operate at speeds of up to 20.8 knots.

Mar 02 2023