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In keeping with tradition coins were placed under the keel for good fortune as it was positioned in the dry dock at the STX Europe shipyard.

At 49,000 gross tonnes, and with an overall length of 212 metres, the new ships are by far the largest ferries ever designed for the Dover – Calais route.

The first will come into service at the end of next year followed by the second in September 2011.

Speaking at the ceremony, Helen Deeble, chief executive of P&O Ferries, said: “These new ships represent an investment in our continued success as market leaders in the UK ferry industry.

“Their scale is unprecedented for the Dover – Calais route, being specifically designed to the maximum dimensions the ports can accommodate.

We look forward to introducing our customers to these exciting additions to our fleet in due course."