MARIN performs landmark industry project on the largest double-ended ferry in the world
Conference/JournalMARIN Report 146
Date25 Jan 2026
In an important maritime industry milestone, the largest double-ended ferry ever seen in the world is now sailing across the English Channel.
This unique vessel, operated by the British shipping company P&O Ferries and denoted as the Pioneer class, was the result of a new cooperation between MARIN, the ship designer OSK Design and the shipbuilder Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) of China. The Pioneer and its sister ship Liberté were delivered in June 2023 and March 2024 respectively.
MARIN has combined its broad hydrodynamic, structural and nautical expertise to support the development of the concept design and to ensure safe operations within the ports and at sea.
This unique vessel, operated by the British shipping company P&O Ferries and denoted as the Pioneer class, was the result of a new cooperation between MARIN, the ship designer OSK Design and the shipbuilder Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) of China. The Pioneer and its sister ship Liberté were delivered in June 2023 and March 2024 respectively.
MARIN has combined its broad hydrodynamic, structural and nautical expertise to support the development of the concept design and to ensure safe operations within the ports and at sea.
Contact
Jie Dang
senior project manager
Combining MARIN’s broad expertise
The unique characteristics of this double-ender demanded several in-depth studies to investigate, evaluate and test the different design options. This was the perfect opportunity for MARIN to bring together its broad hydrodynamic, structural and nautical expertise. Through a thorough investigation combining numerical and experimental methods, MARIN supported GSI and the other project members with an extensive study covering a diverse range of topics.
Model tests in waves.
Tags
cruise and ferryseakeepingtransport and shipping