MV P&O Pioneer

Unlike previous ferries operated on the channel, the P&O Pioneer's design is a radical shift away from convention. Instead of having a distinct bow and stern like previous designs for the English Channel, the P&O Pioneer will utilise a double-ended hull design, with two bridges. While double-ended ferries are nothing new — some notable examples include BC Ferries' Coastal-class ferries and the Staten Island Ferries — the P&O Pioneer will be the first double-ended ferry to be used on the Channel, alongside being the first double-ended ship of her size. According to P&O, using two bridges on both ends instead of one saves two minutes in either harbour as there is no need to turn the ship around when docking or departing. The P&O Pioneer will also be the first ship on the Channel to utilise diesel-electric Azipod propulsion, with four Azipods mounted in corners around the hull of the vessel, capable of swivelling 360 degrees. The ship will also feature some 8.8 megawatt hours of batteries, allowing for a departure from Dover or Calais without diesel engines. These ships are designed to also be converted to battery-electric propulsion at a later date, when charging infrastructure is available on both sides of the Channel. On the port and starboard sides amidships, the ship will feature two sets of panoramic windows giving a view of both the French and British coastlines.

The ships were first announced in September 2019 in a P&O press release.[3] In the press release, it was announced that P&O had ordered two ships of the class, with two further options for a total of four ships. However, it was not until January 2020 when the first renders of the ships were released, including some additional technical details.[4] On 15 October 2020, the first steel was cut in the construction of the P&O Pioneer, then simply referred to by yard number, 19121007.[5] Later, it was announced on 21 December 2020 that the keels for both the P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberte (then 19121008) were laid down.[6] Construction continued throughout 2021 without any news when on 2 January the P&O Pioneer was launched, alongside name announcements and further technical disclosure.[2][7]

P&O Pioneer entered service in mid 2023, to be followed by her sister vessel later that year.[8][9] In April 2023, prior to entering service, an issue with her passenger lifeboat was discovered following a lifeboat drill, which resulted in the need to stop over in Dunkerque, France, for further investigation.[10]