P&O Ferries inked an agreement with Chinese shipbuilder Guangzhou Shipyard International worth EUR 260 million (USD 286.13 million) to deliver a new generation of ships, to operate on the English Channel, sailing between Dover and Calais.
As reported, the two new 230-meter super-ferries ferries will come into operation by 2023, being the largest ferries to ever sail between Dover and Calais.
The ferries will reduce their emissions by 40% as they will be equipped with a fuel and battery propulsion. Specifically, the energy produced by the engines will be stored in the battery. Therefore, the engines will run at the optimum level, and the battery will charge when full energy is created and discharge when the ship requires peaks of power.
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The vessels’ heat recovery system saves fuel and decreases their carbon footprint by using a steam system to provide heating for ULSFO fuel heaters, fuel tanks, FO/LO purifier heaters and HVAC system reheating.
Janette Bell, Chief Executive of P&O Ferries commented
These will be the most sustainable ships ever to sail on the English Channel.
The ferries will feature a double-ended design with two bridges, meaning there is no requirement for a turnaround when leaving port.
P&O Ferries operates more than 20 vessels which carry 8.4 million passengers and 2.3 million freight units every year.
Except P&O Ferries, many are those following the path for a greener industry, as NYK that will construct two next-generation energy-saving heavy-lift vessels, to respond to the demand for transporting cargoes such plants, wind-turbine blades and equipment. Similarly, Lloyd’s Register signed an agreement for a joint development project (JDP) with several industry partners to design an LNG-fueled Very Large Crude Carrier, to evaluate design options for an LNG-fueled VLCC that uses a prismatic GTT Mark III membrane LNG tank.