The new vessel from P&O Ferries started last Monday (19 June 2023) with its first commercial Channel crossings.
The ship is propelled by a combination of traditional fuel and battery power and has been designed with the capacity to become carbon neutral in future. The major investment in these two 230m long hybrid ships allows P&O Ferries to cut fuel use while maintaining capacity.
The modular elements of the ship mean its electric power capabilities will develop in the future. As technology develops and charging stations are brought in at ports, the installation of additional batteries will allow fully electric operation.
The ship is the world’s largest double-ended hybrid ferry, with two bridges meaning there is no need for it to turn in port, saving fuel on every trip.
As the longest ferry to sail between Dover and Calais, P&O PIONEER and its sister ship P&O LIBERTÉ, which will join the fleet later this year, will replace the capacity of three older vessels with just two, delivering further efficiency benefits.
Introduction of the Fusion Class vessels P&O PIONEER and P&O LIBERTÉ on the Dover-Calais route this year will see the replacement of the remaining Darwin Class vessels in operation, the PRIDE OF KENT and THE PRIDE OF CANTERBURY, following the previous retirement of the PRIDE OF BURGUNDY.
