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New ship is testament to DP World’s faith in British shipping, say P&O Ferries chiefs

[ July 15, 2024   //   ]

P&O Ferries’ christened the second of its new Fusion class Dover-Calais vessels at a ceremony in Dover on 12 July where company bosses paid tribute to owner DP World’s commitment to the company and the industry.
Like its sister, the P&O Pioneer, which went into service last year, the P&O Liberté is a hybrid, double-ended vessel, 230 metres long and propelled by a combination of traditional fuel and battery power and designed to become carbon neutral as technology develops and charging stations become availability.
Along with her sister, the P&O Liberté is the world’s two largest double-ended hybrid ferries – 230 metres and with a 3663 lane metre freight capacity. Her two bridges avoid the need to turn around in port, saving time and fuel.
At the ceremony, P&O Ferries chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite paid tribute to the line’s Dubai-based owners, shipping and ports group DP World. They were, he said: “most extraordinary custodians of this business…We have had their unwavering support in bringing two of the most advanced ships in the world into service.”
The Fusion class ships offered a 40% CO2 reduction compared with P&O Ferries’ next most efficient vessels and shore power would enable them to offer even greater savings.
Further efficiencies had been achieved by extending the existing space charter service with rival Dover-Calais operator, DFDS to include Irish Ferries. The scheme would shortly be extended to cover passengers too, allowing the ferries to offer a high frequency turn up and go service for all customers.
P&O Ferries had meanwhile sold its Sprit of Britain to Irish Ferries, putting the company on a firmer financial footing.
Chairman of DP World UK, Robert Woods also paid tribute to the Dubai-based owners, pointing out that the company – which has faced much criticism over its sacking of 786 seafarers in March 2022 – had invested £5.5 billion in the UK’s ports and shipping industry since 2007, significantly more than the old P&O Ferries. This included £2 billion in new berths at London Gateway port which is set to open its forth berth soon and was now looking to develop a fifth. The investment also included two new cranes for the port of Southampton.
DP World, he added had been “steadfast supporters of the company during the Covid crisis when cash was pouring out of the business”. DP World support was also vital in an industry which was suffering heavily for pension fund liabilities.
Company cadet Katrina Brown was Godmother to the latest arrival. P&O Liberté, well able to cope with the rigours of the English Channel but not designed for heavy ocean seas, faced many hazards on its delivery voyage from China. Unable to take the more sheltered Suez route because of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, she had to run the gauntlet of typhoons in the Pacific and pirates off the Somali coast.

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