On the Dover-Calais route, the key UK-France link, P&O Ferries recently announced a new freight partnership with Irish Ferries. 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 agreement between the DP World-owned P&O and Irish Ferries is based on a ‘load and go’ principle, so the operators’ ferries will not sail unless they are fully loaded with freight at peak times. This means that freight should clear the port at the busiest times up to 25 per cent faster.
The CEO explained: ‘I am delighted to confirm this agreement will commence 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 sees a consolidation between the operators, and follows the introduction in June of Oscar Wilde by Irish Ferries, the former Spirit of Britain.
In May 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 47,592gt ship, which has become the largest unit in Irish Ferries’ UK-France fleet.
The fleet, which also includes Isle of Inishmore and Isle of Inisheer, will operate in the new freight arrangement alongside P&O, whose pair of new Fusion class, the double- enders P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberte, will be the mainstay.
