Tag

P&O Ferries

Jul 18
Love3

P&O Ferries Improves Bus Links for Dover Foot Passengers

By 2026 Newsletter week 29

P&O Ferries, in partnership with Stagecoach South East and the Port of Dover, has introduced an enhanced timetable for the number 66 bus service linking Dover Priory railway station with the Eastern Docks.

Effective from 26 July 2026, the revised schedule is better aligned with the operator’s busiest Dover–Calais sailings, reducing waiting times and improving connections for foot passengers. P&O Ferries, currently the only operator carrying foot passengers on the route, will also offer integrated ferry and bus ticket sales through its website.

The initiative aims to make public transport connections more convenient and support more sustainable travel to and from the port.

May 15
Love3

P&O Ferries Appoints Dominic Tucker to Strengthen B2B and Travel Trade Partnerships

By 2026 Newsletter week 20

P&O Ferries has appointed Dominic Tucker as Head of B2B Sales, Distribution & Partnerships within its passenger business.

Tucker brings more than 20 years of experience in the travel and aviation sectors, with expertise in commercial strategy, distribution and partner development.

He joins P&O Ferries from easyJet, where he led indirect distribution strategy and worked with global partners including GDS providers and online travel agencies. Previous senior roles at Norwegian Air Shuttle and British Airways further strengthened his experience in B2B sales and commercial partnerships.

In his new position, Tucker will lead P&O Ferries’ passenger groups and B2B business, focusing on:

  • Strengthening relationships with key customers and travel trade partners.
  • Enhancing distribution capabilities.
  • Supporting continued growth in passenger operations.

The appointment underlines P&O Ferries’ commitment to expanding its commercial reach and deepening partnerships across the travel industry.

Jan 16
Love3

P&O Ferries Published Its 2024 Results

By 2026 Newsletter week 03

Earlier this week, P&O Ferries, its holding company Dubai Ferries Holdings FZE and its subsidiaries published the full accounts made up to 31 December 2024.

Dubai Ferries Holdings FZE (ultimate holding company) reported a loss for the year 2024 after taxation £98.2m (£97.1 in 2023) (as shown on p58).

  • Freight units (thousands) 1,251 (1,326 in 2023)
  • Car volumes (thousands) 903 (890 in 2023)
  • Passenger volumes (thousands) 4,376 (4,590 in 2023)

Source: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06038090

Divisional performance

P&O Ferries Limited reported a £20.7m profit before tax, up from £2.1m in 2023.

Turnover increased to £806.6m, reflecting stabilised ferry operations and cost control.

Source: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00237626

P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Limited reduced its loss to £1.6m, from £15.5m in 2023, despite lower volumes.

Source: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/NF000676

P&O North Sea Ferries Limited posted a £8.9m loss, compared with £1.9m in 2023, amid ongoing margin pressure.

Source: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00809079

P&O Short Sea Ferries Limited recorded a £36.6m loss, compared with a loss of £61.3m in 2023, highlighting continued cost and regulatory pressure on Dover–Calais.

Source: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03291852

P&O Ferries Thames Limited remained loss-making with a £13.7m loss, compared with a loss of £10.3m in 2023, despite stable revenues.

Source: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06860796

Sep 26
Love3

P&O Ferries Switches PRIDE OF HULL to Biofuel

By 2025 Newsletter week 39
  • PRIDE OF HULL is the first ferry on the Hull–Rotterdam route to run permanently on lower-carbon biofuel.
  • The vessel now operates fully on Biofuel B30, following successful trials.
  • The 215m ferry carries 1,360 passengers and 400 freight vehicles.
  • Biofuel B30 cuts lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by about 20% compared with traditional marine fuel.
  • The move helps P&O Ferries comply with the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation, effective January 2025.
  • The decision follows consultation with Wärtsilä and fuel suppliers. Biofuel B30 was chosen as the most practical solution, requiring no costly conversions.
  • This transition builds on previous carbon savings of over 135,000 tonnes from hybrid deployment and fleet optimisation.
Sep 19
Love3

Autorité de la Concurrence Rejects Anticompetitive Complaint Against DFDS and P&O Ferries

By 2025 Newsletter week 38
  • Background: France Manche SA and The Channel Tunnel Group Ltd (“Eurotunnel”) filed a complaint against DFDS and P&O Ferries.
  • Allegations: The two operators were accused of a capacity-sharing agreement on the Calais–Dover route, with a mechanism to rebalance capacity.
  • Legal Basis: Objection raised under Article 101 TFEU and Article L. 420-1 of the French Commercial Code.
  • Decision: The Autorité found no anticompetitive purpose in the agreement.
  • Key Findings:
    • Capacity could be shared proportionally and adjusted at any time.
    • Both operators retained incentives to optimise costs, improve services and remain price-competitive.

Conclusion: The Autorité de la Concurrence ruled that the arrangement did not restrict competition. [source]

Photo Mike Louagie

Sep 19
Love3

P&O Ferries Expands Tilbury Services

By 2025 Newsletter week 38
  • NORBAY will become the second ship on the Tilbury–Zeebrugge route. The vessel has been inactive in Zeebrugge since mid-August.
  • RoRo vessels NORSKY and NORSTREAM will now operate full time on the Tilbury–Europoort route.
  • Changes take effect Sunday, 28 September.

Europoort–Tilbury

  • Two dedicated vessels to strengthen reliabilityand increase capacity.
  • Tilbury–Europoort departure moves from morning to evening.
  • Europoort Terminal opens from 07:00 for earlier deliveries and collections.

Zeebrugge–Tilbury

  • Weekly sailings increase from 18 to 20.
  • Vessels LONGSTONE and NORBAY.

Capacity can be further scaled up depending on demand.

Jul 11
Love3

Jersey Reviews Failed Joint Ferry Tender

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

The Government of Jersey’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has identified key failings in the joint ferry procurement process with Guernsey.

  • No shared governance or joint evaluation of bids.
  • No use of best practice models from UK/EU.
  • Commercial Services lacked clear oversight role.
  • External consultants were needed due to limited internal capacity.

A formal lessons-learned and benchmarking exercise is recommended by end 2025 to improve future joint procurement.

Section 6.2 (page 44) of the PAC report sheds light on Condor’s role in the failed Jersey–Guernsey ferry procurement:

  • Final Contender: Condor was the only firm remaining in the final stages before being rejected by Jersey, although Guernsey had scored its bid positively.
  • Financial Concerns: Jersey’s officials raised serious issues about Condor’s financial stability. A letter from Condor warned it might need up to £36 million in support to continue operations if unsuccessful in the tender.
  • Guernsey Moves Ahead: Frustrated by delays in Jersey, Guernsey went ahead and awarded their contract to a Condor/Brittany Ferries joint bid, leaving Jersey to launch a separate tender.
  • Resulting Split: Guernsey signed with Brittany/Condor, but Jersey chose DFDS in December 2024, marking the end of Condor’s 60-year continuous service
Jul 11
Love4

P&O Ferries to Close Teesport–Zeebrugge Route

By 2025 Newsletter week 28

P&O Ferries has informed staff that its Teesport–Zeebrugge route will close by the end of July, marking the end of its presence in Teesport.

  • The move is part of a strategic shift to focus on Tilbury and Hull.
  • Route vessel NORBAY will be redeployed elsewhere in the network.
  • Zeebrugge-Hull is expected to return to RoRo operations by mid-August. Serving now is container feeder FREYA.

This follows a series of route restructurings on the North Sea.