PRESS RELEASES

Here you can find our latest press releases

19th March 2024 – London, UK:

P&O Ferries Launches 2nd Hybrid Vessel on Dover-Calais Route

  • P&O Ferries has launched P&O Liberté, the second of a brand new class of vessels, on the key Dover-Calais route between the UK and France.
  • The two vessels represent a £250M investment in UK trade and travel, and mean P&O Ferries boast the newest and most technologically advanced ferry fleet on the Channel.
  • P&O Liberté and her sister ship P&O Pioneer are powered by a cleaner, greener hybrid system, reducing carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent compared to older vessels.

 

P&O Liberté has now begun commercial sailings between Dover and Calais, carrying passenger and freight customers.

 

Custom designed to navigate the English Channel, this marks the beginning of a lifetime of service across one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

 

P&O Liberté continues P&O Ferries’ investment in the latest technology to offer customers the best available crossing while cutting carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent through the use of a hybrid power generation system.

 

P&O Liberté and P&O Pioneer, the two Fusion-Class vessels deployed by P&O Ferries in their Channel fleet and the first two vessels in their class, are propelled by a combination of traditional fuel and battery power. They have the potential for carbon neutral operation in future, once shore power improvements at ports are implemented.

 

P&O Pioneer entered service on the Channel crossing in June last year as the world’s largest double-ended hybrid ferry.

 

P&O Ferries Chief Executive Peter Hebblethwaite said: “The arrival of our second revolutionary hybrid vessel means we can offer even more of our customers the best travel experience and facilities available on the Channel.

 

“In the nine months since the first of our new vessels entered service, P&O Pioneer has become a transport icon, contributing to the 135,000 tons of carbon emissions reduced from our operations in the last two years.

 

“Our customers – tourist and freight – have welcomed our new hybrid ship with open arms and we are excited to bring P&O Liberté into service.

 

“Today we are upgrading our fleet, delivering an unrivalled service to our customers and leading in the decarbonisation of ferry travel in the UK and Europe.”

 

At 230m long and more than 47,000gt each, P&O Liberté and P&O Pioneer together represent a £250m investment in transport capacity. Last year more than 3.5 million passengers and nearly 800,000 freight units travelled with P&O Ferries on the Dover-Calais route.

 

Each of the new vessels is expected to carry out more than 100,000 crossings of the Channel in its lifetime.

 

Introduction of the second new hybrid vessels comes after P&O Ferries announced last month it had cut almost 50,000 tons of carbon emissions from its operation in 2023. This followed a reduction of more than 85,000 tons in 2022.

 

In addition, the two Fusion Class vessels offer P&O Ferries customers benefits and facilities including:

 

  • Better driver facilities: The largest ever dedicated space for freight drivers on the Dover-Calais route, including a separate dining area, lounge, and showers, giving them the chance to relax, refresh and recharge.
  • World Duty Free Shopping: The new ships boast P&O’slargest onboard duty-free shopping (588m2) from P&O’s travel retail partner World Duty Free. Travellers will be able to get up to 40% off high street prices on a range of products.
  • Food Market and The Kitchen – Options for passengers include a food market inspired by the layouts seen in train stations and airports, with something for all tastes. While the Kitchen dining area features floor to ceiling windows offering the best views of the Channel and delivers a fantastic hot food menu.
  • Club Lounge – The private lounge has been designed to offer an elegant environment with a subtle colour palette, high-quality materials, soundproofing, soft and comfortable seating and a dedicated outside deck area. Guests can enjoy all-inclusive premium hot and cold food and drinks, which will be in the self-service style seen in an airport lounge. This ticket upgrade is truly the perfect space to start and finish your journey with P&O Ferries.
18th March 2024 

P&O Ferries Statement on Voluntary Seafarers Charter

P&O Ferries is fully committed to signing the voluntary Seafarers’ Charter.

 

We look forward to working constructively and closely with the Department for Transport at the earliest opportunity and in the coming months to put seafarers’ welfare at the heart of the maritime sector.

 

We have been consistent in always calling for a level playing field among ferry operators to deliver the shared ambition of Government and industry of having a thriving sector.

 

 

 

 
Contact

P&O Ferries Press Office

E: POFerries.PressOffice@edelman.com


T: +44 203 047 2460

 

IMPORTANT - This number is not for general customer queries, and they will not be able to deal with your questions.

For any customer/booking queries, please call our call centre on 01304 44 88 88. Lines are open between Monday - Friday - 08:00 - 18:00 and Saturday - Sunday - 09:00 - 17:00.

 

"" Need help ?

View our Frequently Asked Questions before travelling with P&O Ferries.

""Help Centre ""Contact us
Trustpilot