P&O Ferries’ newly commissioned Fusion Class vessel ‘P&O Pioneer’ has two bridges so that it does not need to turn around in ports, which saves fuel on every roundtrip.
The firm said it forecasts a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions on the Dover-Calais route which crosses the English Channel from its first day in service. This makes it the “most sustainable ferry ever” to sail between Britain and the Continent, it added.
The Fusion Class vessel, which cost about £111m, is propelled by a combination of fuel and battery power. Reductions in fuel usage and emissions are delivered by the hybrid system by allowing the Pioneer to operate from its energy storage system while manoeuvring or in port, and is designed to have the capacity to become fully carbon-neutral in the future.
The modular design of the ship allows for modifications to be added later that can make it more environmentally friendly as more charging stations are brought in at ports...