On the P&O Ferries Dover-Calais route, the operator on the key UK-France link, announced a new ‘freight’ partnership with Irish Ferries, but this will be at the expense of DFDS, writes Jehan Ashmore.
In a statement, P&O Ferries Chief Executive Officer, Peter Hebblethwaite said “We recently announced P&O Ferries would join an ambitious new space charter agreement with Irish Ferries on the Dover-Calais route.”
The new agreement with the DP World-owned P&O is founded on a “load and go” principle, meaning that the operator will never send out a ferry that is not fully loaded for freight at peak. Freight will therefore clear the port's at the busiest times up to 25 per cent faster.
The CEO added, “I am delighted to confirm this agreement will commence operation before the end of August, initially for freight customers before being extended to passengers. The existing space charter with DFDS will end in one month’s time.
“P&O Ferries is determined to give ferry customers the most competitive service and the best travel experience available. Our new space charter agreement will deliver that.”
The development in the Strait of Dover market, sees a consolidation between the operators, and follows the introduction in June of Irish Ferries Oscar Wilde, the former P&O Dover-Calais cruiseferry, the Spirit of Britain, and where its P&O twin ‘Spirit’ class, the Spirit of France, serves.
It was in May when the Dublin-based company’s parent owner, Irish Continental Group (ICG) signed a deal with DP World for a bareboat charter and purchase obligation agreement for the 47,592 tonnes ship, which is Irish Ferries largest on their UK-France fleet.
The fleet, comprising Isle of Inishmore, Isle of Inisheer, and Oscar Wilde, will operate in the new freight arrangement alongside its P&O twin and the newer pair of the 'Fusion' class, the double-enders, P&O Pioneer, and this year's debut of P&O Liberte.
