Feature, Freight News, Sea

P&O Ferries’ Pioneer en route to Dover

[ March 24, 2023   //   Chris Lewis ]

P&O Ferries’ newly Fusion Class vessel P&O Pioneer has docked at DP World Limassol port en route from Guangzhou, China to Dover. The operator says the vessel will be the most sustainable ferry ever to sail from Dover to Calais when she goes into operation in May.

The Pioneer is will be the world’s largest double-ended hybrid ferry with two bridges, avoiding the need to turn around in port. She is forecast to deliver a 40% reduction in carbon emissions.

P&O Ferries chief executive

Peter Hebblethwaite, said: “The delivery of P&O Pioneer is an important step for P&O Ferries, and one that will bring advanced sustainable technology to the Dover-Calais crossing. We are excited to offer our freight customers and passengers the chance to experience this state-of-the-art new ferry on our busiest route, which is also one of the UK’s most important connections with the continent of Europe.”

The Fusion Class vessels are propelled by a combination of fuel and battery power. They operate from an energy storage system while manoeuvring or in port and are also designed to become fully carbon neutral in the future.

The P&O Pioneer is the first of two identical sister-ships ordered for the Dover – Calais route, both of which have been registered in Cyprus. The second ship, P&O Liberte, is expected to join the route towards the end of 2023.

Tags: P&O Ferries