Delivery of World’s Largest Double-Ended Hybrid Ro-Ro Ferry

After the successful delivery of SMC’s first LNG-fueled passenger vessels with the newbuilding project for TT-Line, the 28th of February 2023 marked another first for SMC — with the delivery of the world’s largest double-ended ferry to P&O Ferries. The P&O Pioneer, the first of the two ferries, was built and delivered at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) China, departing from GSI on the 3rd of March bound for Singapore on its voyage to the UK.

P&O ordered the Pioneer and her sister ship Liberte at GSI in 2019, due for delivery later this year. SMC has been honoured to be involved in this futuristic green project throughout the whole process by providing technical consultancy, plan approval and construction supervision for these vessels. The two vessels lead the industry for the size, the hybrid power capabilities, and the luxury. They will operate between Dover (south coast of England) and Calais (northern France).

P&O Pioneer is the world’s first green vessel outfitted with two 75,00kw Azipods at each end, combined with the regulatory separated engine spaces, diesel electric generation, as well as battery storage and full electric propulsion. This unique combination allows the ships to operate at a speed of over 22 knots and a service speed of 20.8 knots. The large-capacity batteries outfitted allows the vessel a maximum storage capacity of 8.8 megawatts. Its capability to use the shore power and recharge batteries respectively at shore or underway provides consistent power supply and energy optimization.

The vessel boasts high level of automation. There are over 12,000 alarm points built into the various systems, and all controlled from one engine control room and two wheelhouses. The vessel can switch between one wheelhouse operation to the other with two simple change over switches (one on each wheelhouse); it can also instantly switch between diesel and batteries propulsion at the push of a single button. ​​​​​​​

Our (SMC) electrical and mechanical teams (plan approval experts as well as supervisors) had their work cut out for them since whilst the basics are well known, a lot of the design had never been used before and certainly not on this scale. It was a great sense of achievement for the suppliers, yard, class, owners and SMC when the sea trials were completed, and the test concluded satisfactory.

There are more than 9,300 square meters of space with a certified capacity of 1,500 passengers in the vessels. Restaurants, bars, a gym, a children’s area, pet’s area, duty free shops, as well as other areas for entertainment and relaxation are all included in the vessel. Passengers can have a 180-degree view at each side of the vessel. The double ended ferry has three decks for vehicles, the top deck taking cars only and the other two decks taking trucks and cars. There is a double level drive on drive off facilities (deck 3 and deck 5) at both ends, again increasing the efficiency of the vessel and reducing the turnaround time in port. The car and truck decks are fitted with charge ports for the electric driven vehicles.​​​​​​​

Our Hull supervisors and our Accommodation Outfitting supervisors were able to use our recent experience from other projects and comparing the required standards as well as those on offer from a different outfitting supplier we again managed to deliver a high-quality interior pleasing the owners’ seniors and the owners on site team.

“As the TT-Line vessels (delivered last year) were state of the art vessels and they are, working on longer routes and differing ports, the POF ferries will be the latest in their class and again with modern technologies working on a fixed short route will,  I am sure,  be the types of vessels to lead the ferries into the next century.” says Steve Nolan, who managed the TT-Line project and greatly involved with the POF project as Technical Director of SMC.

P&O Pioneer – Hotel Interior