New Delhi, March 25, 2023: P&O Pioneer arrived on Wednesday for bunkering, as it makes its way toward Dover, where it is expected to become fully operational on the English Channel route to Calais in May 2023, the British ferry operator, owned by logistics provider DP World Group, said.
DP World’s integrated services will provide berthing, bunkering, and marine services while the vessel is docked at Limassol. Unifeeder and P&O Maritime Cyprus will be responsible for bunkering and marine operations, while DP World Limassol terminal operators will be in charge of berthing the vessel while it remains at the port.
According to P&O Ferries, the Pioneer is set to be the world’s largest double-ended hybrid ferry with two bridges meaning there is no need for it to turn around in ports, saving fuel on every roundtrip. The vessel is forecasted to deliver a 40% reduction in carbon emissions on the Dover-Calais route from its first day in service.
China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) delivered the vessel at the end of February. It is the first of two identical purpose-built “Fusion Class” sister-ships ordered for the Dover – Calais route, both of which have been registered in Cyprus. The second ship, P&O Liberte, is expected to join in service towards the end of 2023 according to the reports published in offshore-energy.biz.