Displaying items by tag: Chinese Shipyard

30th September 2019

P&O Ferries Order Biggest Ships to Sail Dover-Calais After Deal With Chinese Shipyard

Giant carbon neutral ferries will take to the sea (Dover-Calais) in four years after P&O signed a €260 million (£229m) contract with a Chinese shipyard. Above AFLOAT adds ferries including on right a 'Darwin' class, one of five existing P&O ships that serves the UK / Europe's busiest ferryport.

A pair of 230m ferries will be the largest to ever to sail between Dover and Calais (see: Brexit related story), with room for 1,500 passengers and deck spaces three-quarters the size of London's Trafalgar Square, writes KentOnline.

The contract also gives the company, P&O Ferries the chance to build another two by 2024.

The new ships, operating by 2023, are designed to help the environment by cutting fuel use and producing no carbon emissions.

They even have two bridges so they don't need to be turned around in the harbour.

This move follows the company signing the multi-million pound contract with Chinese-based Guangzhou Shipyard International Ltd.

For more on this development from P&O Ferries which Afloat adds is a subsidiary of Dubai based company DP World click here.

Published in Ferry

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About the TP52 Racing Yacht

The TP52 racing yacht is a remarkable example of cutting-edge technology in the world of competitive yachting. Measuring 52 feet (15.85 metres) in length, this vessel is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, making it an incredibly light and agile craft.

The TP52 features a 6.25-metre high rig, complete with a fractional asymmetrical spinnaker and a self-tacking jib. This design reduces the workload of the crew, allowing for more efficient manoeuvres and freeing up the crew to focus on the mainsheet upwind and on two-sail reaches.

The spinnaker rigging set-up, measuring 15.00 m2, presents a challenge to even the most experienced crews, requiring them to be fit and perfectly coordinated. Maneuvering the boat requires athleticism due to the vessel's lack of inherent stability and the high speed generated by the fully battened mainsail and jib.

The TP52's hull is constructed of fibreglass-reinforced polyester in a foam sandwich layout, resulting in a weight of just 74kg. The fully battened mainsail and jib are made from a transparent Mylar laminate with orange or red Dacron trimming, while the spinnaker is manufactured from ripstop Nylon.

The mast is made up of three parts, featuring an aluminium bottom and middle section, with a polyester-fibreglass composite tip to increase mast bend and decrease overall weight. The capsizing moment, which can be generated by a heavy mast tip, is also reduced through this design. The TP52's foils are constructed from either aluminium or fibreglass, depending on the specific requirements of the vessel.

Overall, the TP52 racing yacht is an exceptional example of the latest advancements in yacht design and technology. Its lightweight construction, advanced rigging, and high-speed capabilities make it a top contender in the world of competitive yachting, challenging even the most skilled and experienced crews.