Innovative ship to launch this week

The world's first large-capacity battery hybrid propulsion and two-way navigation luxury Ropax ship will leave Guangzhou, Guangdong province, for Europe within the week.

The ship, the P&O Pioneer, built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Co (GSI) for Britain's P&O Ferries, will operate between Britain's Port of Dover and France's Port of Calais in the English Channel in the months to come.

The ship, with hybrid system (engine plus battery) and driving four Azipods, does not need to turn around when entering or leaving a port, as the ship includes two pilot houses — at the bow and stern — with the same operating equipment, and the crews can drive the ship from either pilot house, the company said.

The ship is equipped with four battery rooms, with 1,160 large capacity batteries. The capacity of the batteries on board reaches 8.8MWh (megawatt hour), which is equivalent to the total battery capacity of 150 electric passenger vehicles, according to the introduction from the company on Tuesday.

The ship reaches 230.5 meters long and a breadth MLD of 30.8 meters, with a draft of 6.32 meters. It is designed for 1,500 passengers and 700 vehicles and has bars, restaurants, gyms and various other entertainment facilities.

It is designed for speeds of up to 20.8 knots, equivalent to about than 38 kilometers per hour.

"In terms of interior decoration, 100 percent localization has been achieved in the whole design, manufacturing and installation for the interior," according to Zhou Xuhui, vice-president and senior engineer at GSI, a Shanghai Stock Exchanges listed company, on Tuesday.

"The high-standard and environmentally friendly Ropax vessel demonstrates China's leading shipbuilding strength and technology," Zhou said.

It is the first luxury Ropax vessel built by GSI for P&O Ferries. Another one will be delivered in June, he said.