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MS ''Spirit of France'' is a cross-channel ferry operated by Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company known as P&O Ferries on the Dover-Calais route. She is the second of two 'Spirit' class ships built for P&O Ferries, the other being . The vessels are the largest ferries constructed for the Dover/Calais route and the largest ferries to ever cross the English Channel. ==History== P&O Ferries signed a €360m contract with Aker Yards (STX Europe) on 8 August 2008 for the two largest ferries ever to be constructed for the Dover-Calais service, replacing and . The new vessels were specifically designed for the Dover-Calais route and were built to Lloyd’s Register ‘Green Passport’ which provides a cradle to grave strategy for all materials used. The ferries are environmentally friendly, offering significant advances in fuel efficiency through a hydro-dynamically efficient hull form that optimise vessel performance with minimum fuel consumption. The vessels are the first passenger ferries in the world to comply with the new International Maritime Organization "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 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. *13 May 2010: It was announced that P&O Ferries would be named and ''Spirit of France''. ''Spirit of Britain'' was expected to enter service in January 2011 followed by ''Spirit of France'' in September 2011. ''Spirit of France'' was originally to be called ''Olympic Pride'', but was renamed to avoid copyright infringement. *8 June 2010: On the same day as the float out of ''Spirit of Britain'', the keel of ''Spirit of France'' was laid at the STX Europe Rauma shipyard in Rauma, Finland. In keeping with maritime tradition `lucky' coins were placed under the keel by P&O Ferries chairman, Robert Woods. *December 2010: Registered owner and ship manager; P&O Ferries Ltd, Dover, United Kingdom. *18 February 2011: Floated out of the building dock at STX Europe's Rauma shipyard for the first time in sub zero temperatures. *18 February 2011: After her float out ''Spirit of France'' was manoeuvred to the fitting out quay. *May 2011: Fit out works continues apace with sea trials expected sometime in June 2011. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「MS Spirit of France」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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