a P&O ship returns to service
After more than five weeks of stoppage, the P&O company resumes crossings of the English Channel. But gently. For the moment, only one of his four boats takes to the open sea, the “Spirit of Britain”. The British Coast Guard has shown that this one is now able to navigate safely.
It will therefore be put back into circulation this evening at 9 p.m. (French time) in Dover in the direction of Calais. Initially, it is exclusively freight transport. Regarding the transport of tourists, passenger support will resume on a limited basis and within a week. 250 people could board instead of 2000 normally.
A very gradual recovery
The wait was very long for P&0 employees, truck drivers and the port of Calais. This boat will be able to relieve the two other companies which must absorb all the flow of passengers and freight, Irish Ferries and DFDS. But at the rate of three round trips instead of five per day.
We have lost crossings, customers
A second company boat should be back in service in a week, a third in two weeks. “First of all, it’s a relaxation because we can’t say that we worked in optimal conditions since P&O represents almost 50% of the market.indicates Jean-Marc Puissesseau, president of the port of Calais. We have lost crossings, customers, this represents several hundred thousand euros.