P&O Fleet Movements

[giftgrub]

and keeps giving

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61209894?fbclid=IwAR1nKHVJpR7rf_Wr468lgZDwm5iiz1jNstVarVvgek21HkcKEcKIF2UHPcA

There will be case studies on this for years to come for students to study.

[marsav68]

European Causeway had a bit of trouble off Larne this afternoon. Reports of total engine failure. At one stage I counted 3 lifeboats, a SAR helicopter, a tug and the Queen Victoria cruise ship coming to her aid. Seems to have then made her own way into port accompanied by the tug and lifeboats.

[giftgrub]

The once mighty P&O have returned to a two ship service on their main route Dover - Calais today as the Pride of Kent has returned to service after TWO months tied up in Dover.

Pride of Canterbury has yet to pass MCA inspection and Spirit of France remains in drydock with prop shaft issues.

Their two new Double Ender ferries are one assumes still on target but what version of P&O will be around to operate them.

[Futureskipper]

I have just seen on LinkedIn that P&O and Seatruck are switching terminals in Dublin Port. P&O will be moving to Terminal 5 and Seatruck will be moving to Terminal 4. According to the post, it is due to happen from the 23.01.2023 because CLdN  owned Seatruck are moving the Terminals so all CLdN vessels are operating out of the same area of the port.

[giftgrub]

Not an Irish Sea vessel but what could be a game changer on the Dover Calais route is due to depart China this weekend (unless changed)

The all new P&O Pioneer which is the worlds largest double ended ferry and I think the most intensive use yet for azipod propulsion systems.

https://www.poferries.com/en/ship-of-the-future?fbclid=IwAR3ji7gw1_R6ubtZ0uXSBWVpI3JoAz82X73D1fnvOaBhtKJpsDioOvx_rPk

Unusually for P&O lots of outside deck space is available, but will it be open for travelers ?

If the ferry concept works we can expect to see more of these unusual vessels. I do think optically a couple of small funnels at either end would have given a bit more balance to the upper deck.

Plenty of images here

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-p-o-pioneer-past-and-present/

[giftgrub]

Running behind schedule the P&O Pioneer has finally been handed over by GSI shipyard.

Plenty of images here

https://theferryforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=135&start=100

They we're originally selling tickets for the delivery voyage (dep Feb 11) which is about 20 days late so far, would have been a cool trip to come back to Europe on, obviously staying in crew cabins as no passenger cabins onboard.

While incredibly ugly and don't agree with the way P&O behave as we approach the one year anniversary of their sacking of all crew, these two new ferries are possibly the most advanced short sea (Dover - Calais) ferries ever built and could be starting a trend for the future vessels.

[giftgrub]

More information on the new addition to the P&O fleet from the excellent NI ferry site

https://www.niferry.co.uk/po-ferries-takes-delivery-of-new-dover-to-calais-ferry/?fbclid=IwAR3Q5QCSfO8v_hTSg-G_lhiNbX4q817kTTpSBMu8sGr95cbKgr3xkDnUZVg

[giftgrub]

12 months on from the P&O Ferries St Patrick's day 2022 shenanigans their newest vessel the P&O Pioneer is on the way from Columbo to the Suez Canal.

Still has a look that only a mother could love, but this could be a real game changer on the short sea crossings and is a huge technical advancement from a company who in the recent past have only been interested in cutting costs.

They have also sold the Pride of Burgrundy for scrap. Great article here  from the always excellent NI Ferry site

https://www.niferry.co.uk/po-ferries-sells-dover-calais-ferry-for-recycling/

One assumes the Pride of Kent and Canterbury will follow once the Pioneer and Liberte enter service.

[giftgrub]

Pioneer has reached the Suez Canal, last reported position at the South anchorage.

Meanwhile in Dunkerque the Pride of Burgrundy is being debranded with P&O name and flags being painted over before it begins its trip to the breakers.

Latest images at the bottom of this link

https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/mv-pride-of-burgundy-past-and-present/

[giftgrub]

Pioneer has cleared the Suez Canal, stopped off at Limassol and is on the way again, won't be long before it arrives in Dover.

[Davy Jones]

According to AIS, P&O Pioneer due in Dover today at 12:12 hrs.

[shipbiulder101]

According to AIS, P&O Pioneer due in Dover today at 12:12 hrs.

Looks like she has stopped in the lanes next to Cherbourg probably waiting until tommorrow to arrive in Dover.

[Davy Jones]

Probably had the instruction to approach portside, and they're trying to work out which side that actually is!

[Davy Jones]

P&O Pioneer has spent all day off Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. AIS was updated earlier with an arrival time at Dover of 11:45 am - didn't happen. Can only assume they are planning a grand arrival over the weekend, unless anybody knows anything different?

[giftgrub]

Think it might be Monday into Dover (spotted something on a facebook yesterday  but cannot find it now)