By
Rebecca Gibson |
P&O Ferries has revealed the first official images of its two new super ferries, which will be the largest to ever sail between Dover, England and Calais, France.
Renderings show that the new 230-metre-long ferries will have a double-ended design with two navigation bridges, which will eliminate the need for them to turn around in ports and save both time and fuel. In addition, the renderings show a new hull shape that has never been seen before on an English Channel passenger ferry. There are also outside deck areas and double-height windows on some passenger decks to offer panoramic views.
“These remarkable images provide a glimpse of the transformation which our customers will experience when they travel between Britain and Europe on the most sustainable, most reliable and most customer-friendly ships ever to sail on the route,” said David Stretch, managing director of short routes at P&O Ferries. “This major investment will be a vital part of Europe’s transport infrastructure into the 2040s and symbolises our commitment to making trade flow for our customers.”
Designed by naval architects OSK-ShipTech, the €260 million (US$286 million) will be built by China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International and the first is expected to start service in 2023.
The vessels will be powered by a combination of fuel and battery propulsion, which will cut decrease fuel use by 40%. All surplus energy generated by the engines will be stored in the battery, allowing them to charge when excess energy is being created and discharge when the ships require peaks of power. Other green technologies will include a heat recovery system that will save, as well as a power management system to efficiently close down parts of the ship when not in use.