VESSEL REVIEW | P&O Pioneer – P&O Ferries acquires hybrid newbuild for Dover-Calais route

UK operator P&O Ferries has taken delivery of the first vessel in a series of two double-ended Ro-Pax ferries built by Chinese shipyard CSSC Offshore and Marine Engineering Company.

The Cyprus-flagged P&O Pioneer measures 230.5 metres long, making it one of the largest double-ended Ro-Pax ferries currently in operation. It is also one of the first double-ended ferries to sail on scheduled routes in the English Channel. Among the advantages offered by the double-ended, double-wheelhouse design is the 10-minute reduction in both loading and unloading times, as the vessel no longer has to turn around when berthing or unberthing.

The vessel has a gross tonnage of 47,394 and capacity for 1,350 passengers, 150 crewmembers, and up to 3,600 lane metres of freight with 800 lane metres allotted for passenger-driven vehicles.

Four diesel generators and an 8.8MWh battery pack comprise a hybrid electric propulsion system that drives four ABB 7.5MW azimuthing podded thrusters to deliver a maximum speed of 22 knots and a service speed of 20.8 knots while ensuring a 40 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. ABB also supplied the vessel's intelligent manoeuvring and control system to enable safer and more efficient operations by automating some navigational tasks, thus allowing the crew in either wheelhouse to focus on optimising overall ship control and positioning.

The ferry will operate purely on batteries when entering and leaving port and while at berth with the generators being used for charging. However, when the necessary shore charging infrastructure becomes available, the propulsion system can be upgraded through the replacement of the generators with additional batteries to allow fully-electric operation even during cross-channel sailings.

The vessel boasts a high level of automation with more than 12,000 alarm points built into the various systems. All these are controlled from one engine control room and the two wheelhouses. The vessel can switch between one wheelhouse operation to the other with two simple change-over switches. It can also instantly switch between diesel and battery propulsion via push-button controls.​​​​​​ Installation of these systems was undertaken by Schulte Marine Concept.

The passenger facilities cover more than 9,300 square metres and include lounges, duty-free shops, regular toilets, toilets for people with limited mobility, restaurants, bars, a gym, and a children's play area. The five lifts and the passenger seating areas are all wheelchair-accessible.

One lounge is laid out for passengers travelling with pets. This area of the ferry is connected via dedicated lift to an outdoor space where passengers can bring their pets for exercise. Another lounge has panoramic windows and reclining chairs fitted with individual USB charging ports as well as direct access to an outside deck.

Many of the passenger spaces are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows to let as much natural as possible into the interiors as well as provide passengers with clearer outside views of the surroundings as the vessel sails through the Channel.

P&O Pioneer has already begun serving P&O Ferries' Dover-Calais route. Sister vessel P&O Liberte is scheduled to enter service on the same route in early 2024.

Click here to read other news stories, features, opinion articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month's Passenger Vessel Week.