Using electric power from 8.8MWh batteries and diesel generators, the hybrid propulsion solution is projected to reduce fuel consumption by 40 percent on P&O Ferries' Dover-Calais route. Until more electric shore charging stations are available, the batteries will provide maximum power for port maneuvering and remain in port and will prepare the vessels for a zero-emission future.

The 230-meter-long vessels, fitted with four Azipod propulsion units per vessel, each rated at 7.5 megawatts, will be the largest passenger and freight ferries to travel the route when they enter service in 2023.

In addition to propulsion and energy storage from Azipod, the new vessels will be equipped with a wide range of ABB solutions covering control and propulsion, automation and control management.

The Power and Energy Management System of ABB is incorporated with the electrical system and ensures that the total power resources of the vessel are optimally used by optimizing the flow of information through shipboard systems.

Designed to a double-ended design where there will be a pair of Azipod units and a bridge at either end of the vessels, there will be no need to transform ships into port.

On each outbound and return trip, the captain and senior officers will simply walk to the opposite bridge, saving seven minutes and one ton of fuel, a sixth of what is used on the 21-mile crossing.

The vessels will also be fitted with ABB Marine Pilot Control Capacity, a smart maneuvering and control system that allows safer , more effective operations by automating some navigational tasks so that bridge officers can concentrate on maximizing the overall control and positioning of the ship.

Maritime Business World