Welcome to Dover Ferry Photos

Mv Spirit of France

Steel twin screw motor vessel built in 2011 by STX Europe, Rauma, Finland (Yard No. 1368) for P&O Ferries, London, England. Due for delivery in September 2011.

Technical Data

Length

213 Meters

Breadth of Hull

31.4 Meters

Draught

6.5 Meters

Tonnage

49,000 GRT

Engines

4 x MAN B&W 7L 48 60 main engines driving two propeller shafts.

Power

30,400kW (40,767hp)

Thrusters

3 x 3,000 kW

Speed

22 Knots

Capacity

2000 Passengers, 180 Lorries or 1,059 Cars (2700 Lane Meters)

Call Sign

2DXD5

MMSI Number

235082717

IMO Number

9533816

Registry

United Kingdom

Sister Vessel

Spirit of Britain

AIS Location

Vessel positions may be up to one hour old or incomplete. If the map is blank no data is available. Data is provided for informational purposes only and is not related by any means to the safety of navigation. All AIS data is provided by www.marinetraffic.com and therefore we are not responsible for its content.

History

August 8th 2008: P&O Ferries signs a €360m contract with Aker Yards (STX Europe) for the two largest ferries ever to be constructed for the Dover-Calais service. The first of these ships will enter service in January 2011 and the second in September 2011, replacing the Pride of Dover and the Pride of Calais.

The new vessels are specifically designed for the Dover-Calais route and are built to Lloyd’s Register ‘Green Passport’ which provides a cradle to grave strategy for all materials used. The ferries will be as environmentally friendly as possible, offering significant advances in fuel efficiency through a hydro-dynamically efficient hull form that will optimise vessel performance with minimum fuel consumption.

The vessels will be the first passenger ferries in the world to comply with the new International Maritime Organisation "Safe Return to Port" requirements ahead of the international compliance date.

These rules require that, in the event of a ship becoming a casualty, basic services are provided to all persons on board and that certain systems remain operational for safe return to port. Performance standards are stipulated for a wide range of ship systems including fire-fighting, power supply, propulsion, steering and navigation. The requirements come into force for vessels built after 1 July 2010.

The ships will have the Lloyd's Register class notation of PSMR (Propulsion and Steering Machinery Redundancy) which will be assigned where the main propulsion and steering systems are configured to ensure that, in the event of equipment failure, the ship retains availability of propulsion power and manoeuvring capability to provide a safe return to port.

May 13th 2010: It was announced that P&O Ferries will be naming its two new ships the Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France when they come into service in 2011. The Spirit of Britain will enter service in January 2011 followed by the Spirit of France in September 2011.

June 8th 2010: On the same day as the float out of the Spirit of Britain the keel of the Spirit of France was laid at the STX Europe Shipyard in Rauma, Finland. In keeping with maritime tradition `lucky' coins were placed under the keel by P&O Ferries chairman, Robert Woods.

Spirit of France Under Construction

December 2010: Registered owner and ship manager; P&O Ferries Ltd, Dover, United Kingdom.

February 18th 2011: Floated out of the building dock at STX Europe's Rauma shipyard for the first time in sub zero temperatures.

Spirit of France Float Out

February 18th 2011: After her float out the Spirit of France was manoeuvred to the fitting out quay.

Fitting out at STX Rauma in May 2011. © P&O Ferries

May 2011: Fit out works continues apace with sea trials expected sometime in June 2011.

June 29th 2011: Departed STX Rauma for her first sea trials in the Gulf of Bothnia.

September 6th 2011: Further sea trials. Owing to vibration issues delivery is delayed.

October 13th 2011: Further sea trials.

October 26th 2011: Further sea trials.

November 13th 2011: Further sea trials.

November 17th 2011: Reported in some maritime news outlets that P&O had refused delivery due to vibration issues.

November 28th 2011: During a storm the vessel parted her moorings and ran aground within the shipyard. The vessel was dry docked and damage was deemed to be negligible.

December 20th 2011: Further sea trials.

January 3rd 2012: Final sea/yard acceptance trials completed.

January 24th 2012: Official handover to P&O Ferries and commencement of her 1,400 mile journey to Dover. Scheduled to arrive in Dover at 11:00 (GMT) on Saturday 28th January 2012.

January 28th 2012: At 11:00 the Spirit of France duly arrives in her homeport of Dover.

Maiden Arrival in Dover

January 29th 2012: Conducts berthing trials in the Port of Dover.

January 30th 2012: Maiden arrival in Calais for berthing trials. Departed Calais for Dover and berthed at cruise terminal two for crew familiarisation.

Maiden Arrival in Calais

To book a crossing on the Spirit of France please click here.

Home

P&P Index

All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions found. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chris Laming, Brian Rees, Michelle Ulyatt, Natalie Hardy and Daniel Maidment at P&O Ferries, STX Europe ASA and François Longuet for their assistance in compiling this feature.