[ 138 ] THE SHIP OF THE FUTURE The Fusion-class represents a complete paradigm shift in the ever-competitive crossChannel ferry market. Without a doubt, the combination of a double-ender design with diesel-battery hybrid technology and the possibility to upgrade to full-electric propulsion is the shape of things to come on Europe’s busiest trade route. Exit the single-ended, diesel-powered ferries, enter the Ship of the Future as P&O Ferries is leaving its competitors standing. Rather than building an improved version of the successful earlier generation known as the Spirit-class, P&O Ferries opted for the innovation path with a totally different platform that has sustainability and customer experience at the heart of its design. The key objective was to reduce fuel consumption and therefore emissions by at least 40 per cent compared to the Spirit-class, quite a feat as the similarly-sized Spirits were already the most fuel-efficient ships crossing the Dover Strait. The bottom line was to take a quantum leap forward in considerably reducing the costs and emissions footprint per transported truck and car, differentiate the customer offer from those of other Channel ferry operators and close the gap on the speed advantage of the fixed link. Admittedly, P&O Ferries set the bar high but has, remarkably, achieved its ambitious goals as proved by P&O Pioneer during its first days in service. Not only are P&O Pioneer and sister ship P&O Liberté the world’s largest double-enders, at a cost of EUR 260 million they also represent a significant investment in the future of the leading Dover–Calais operator. The 230.5m long, 30.8m wide double-ended ro-pax ferries are introduced at a time when P&O Ferries starts to realise some giant steps towards its vision to become the most efficient and competitive operator in the market, providing the best customer experience. This is embodied in the Fusion-class, the English Channel’s greenest and most technically advanced ferries. Taking the Dover–Calais experience a significant step upward, the Fusion-class also offers a very different standard of public space. People are re-evaluating their lives and the pace at which they live. This plays to more experiential travelling, where being in the moment is more important than speed. So being trapped in a plane or a train becomes much less attractive than enjoying the view on an open deck. What better place to take in the view of what is arguably the UK’s most iconic landmark, the White Cliffs of Dover, than the 1,550m² of open decks of P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté? “ The bottom line was to take a quantum leap forward in considerably reducing the costs and emissions footprint per transported truck and car, differentiate the customer offer from those of other Channel ferry operators and close the gap on the speed advantage of the fixed link” VISION FOR THE FUTURE
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