[ 26 ] THE SHIP OF THE FUTURE The Ship of the Future project started from scratch with all options open for ship type (single-ender or doubleender), dimensions, deck layout and propulsion package. The bottom line was to build a revolutionary new platform that would give P&O Ferries a competitive edge while significantly reducing engine power and emissions footprint. The double-ender concept represents a radical change in cross-Channel ferry operations. Double-ended ferries are as old as modern ferry shipping itself, yet the 22-nautical-mile stretch of water between the UK and France has always been considered too long a distance for this ferry type. One of the reasons why Channel ferry operators have hesitated with the double-ender is its cost of building. Unlike a single-ender design, which has a bow and stern, a doubleender effectively has two bows with a lot of equipment, including expensive navigation and other bridge gear, duplicated. A bow shape is typically narrower than the ship’s aft end which often spans the ship’s full width to maximise vehicle intake. P&O Ferries has always been ahead of the competition when it comes to vessel design. Uniquely, their Dover–Calais ferries have been purpose built for this demanding route with enough manoeuvring power being one of the prerequisites to offer a 24/7/365 reliable service. In the past, P&O Ferries’ Dover–Calais ships were each time an evolution of previous generations with an increase in vehicle capacity being the common denominator. But rather than building on the success of the 2011–12-built Spirit-class, P&O Ferries decided to re-evaluate its Channel fleet proposition, starting from a clean sheet of paper again. Following a tender process, OSK Design was selected as the Ship of the Future’s naval architects very early on in the project. Although we had lots of expertise in ferry design, it was rather our forward-thinking that matched with P&O Ferries’ vision of the future. We were on the same page right from the start. While our competitors reportedly proposed an evolution of the Spirit-class, we thought it was senseless to re-invent the wheel. P&O Ferries was adamant to radically change its business model which had to be translated into the Ship of the Future. “ Climate change has prompted the IMO and EU to set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. Fossil fuels will become obsolete but as long as nonfossil alternative fuels are still few and far between, naval architects and shipowners primarily focus on reducing energy consumption” Manoeuvring calculations: distance pier to western breakwater 0.95 miles, distance pier to eastern breakwater 0.5 miles, distance pier to breakwater 0.83 miles. Almost same distance in both ports (P&O single-ender operation 12–14 minutes). Eastern exit in Dover saves 0.5 miles sailing
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