My Basket:
Newsletter
Hear about our latest offers first by signing up to our newsletter.
Your email address:
Your email address:
Latest Ferry News
SPIRIT OF FRANCE ARRIVES AT DOVER
30 January 2012P&O Ferries’ second new €180 million ship Spirit of France arrived at Dover for the first time today (Saturday 28 January) following a four-day delivery voyage from her construction shipyard at Rauma, Finland. The ship arrived at the port at 11.00hrs and will now start final preparations for entry into service on the Dover – Calais route from Thursday 9 February. She joins her sister ship, Spirit of Britain, on the service. The combined cost of €360 million for the two ships represents the largest investment ever made by P&O Ferries.
SPIRIT OF FRANCE
26 January 2012P&O Ferries has taken delivery of its second new €180 million ship, Spirit of France, during a handover ceremony at the STX Europe shipyard in Rauma, Finland. Spirit of France then began its 1,400 mile voyage to Dover under the command of Captain Steve Johnson, Senior Master. The estimated time of arrival at Dover is 11.00hrs on Saturday 28 January. Final preparations will then be made for the new ship to take up service on the Dover – Calais route by mid February. At more than 47,000 gross tons and 213 metres in length, Spirit of France, and sister ship Spirit of Britain which began service last year, are the largest ferries ever built for the Dover Strait. The combined cost of €360 million is the largest investment ever made by P&O Ferries. Helen Deeble, chief executive, said: “This investment gives us the finest cross-Channel ferries ever commissioned for the Dover Strait and is a bold statement of our determination to continue to raise the bar in terms of the quality and comfort of ferry travel. I look forward to welcoming customers on board the first sailing of Spirit of France in due course.”
P&O FERRIES NORTH SEA
10 January 2012The Pride of York and Pride of Hull have recently been re-registered under the flag of Bahamas, a move designed to head-off increased crewing costs from possible changes in UK and EU employment laws. Read more about this story in Ferry & Cruise Review Issue 91 published end of January 2012.
SPIRIT OF FRANCE
10 January 2012P&O Ferries plan to introduce the Spirit of France on the Dover-Calais service as from 9th February 2012 following delays with the vessel with vibration problems prior to her delivery from the builders. Read more about this story in Ferry & Cruise Review Issue 91 published end of January 2012.
NORTHERN ISLES COMEBACK BID BY P&O
10 January 2012Although P&O lost out to Northlink when the ferry services to Orkney and Shetland were tendered by the Scottish government in 2002, P&O Ferries have now stated they are out to make a comeback for the services to the Northern Isles. They are one of six companies shortlisted for the new Northern Isles contract which will run for six years from July 2012. Read more about this story in Ferry & Cruise Review Issue 91 published end of January 2012.
LYMINGTON BOOST FOR WIGHTLINK
10 January 2012The way finally seems clear for Wightlink to provide improved terminal and berthing facilities at Lymington following an eight-day appeal hearing and report on Lymington harbour. Wightlink now plan to construct a new terminal and vehicle ramp for their operations. Read more about this story in Ferry & Cruise Review Issue 91 published end of January 2012.
DFDS AND LD LINES PLANNING TO START NEW ROUTE ON DOVER-CALAIS
10 January 2012Following the commercial court of Paris deciding to liquidate SeaFrance with immediate effect as from 10th January 2012, DFDS and LD Lines have now stated their intention to operate a new service between Dover and Calais using two ships under the French flag. To open a new route, and provide an attractive service for customers, they aim to hire about 300 staff and expect to be able to start the recruitment process soon. The new route will be operated by vessels currently owned by the joint venture or vessels available on the charter market. Read more about this story in Ferry & Cruise Review Issue 91 published end of January 2012.
SEAFRANCE
10 January 2012Ferry firm SeaFrance is to shed 127 jobs in Dover after it was liquidated by a French court and told to cease activity. The Tribunal de Commerce decided SeaFrance's future after a bailout by the French government was ruled illegal by the European Commission. The court also said an offer by a cooperative of employees was not acceptable. Hundreds of jobs in France are also expected to be lost. Three ferries were operated by SeaFrance on the Dover to Calais route. The service was suspended in November. Conservative MP for Dover and Deal Charlie Elphicke said: "It is a real concern for the... people in Dover who have worked for SeaFrance and also their families. "This is a difficult day and I think the heart of the whole community goes out to them. There were tears from SeaFrance workers who gathered outside the court in Paris to hear the decision on the firm's future. Many were protesting over the handling of SeaFrance's fate, with one banner questioning why French president, Nikolas Sarkozy had not intervened to save the company. Flares were lit in protest at the company's liquidation. Ferry Publications plan to publish later this year a history on SNCF and SeaFrance and their involvement on the Dover-Calais service. Read more about this story in Ferry & Cruise Review Issue 91 published end of January 2012.