P&O Fleet Movements

[Steven]

P&O Ferries have emailed freight customers about a new freight route between Tilbury and Calais.  However, when Shippax contacted Channel House directly they were told no final decision about the route had been made!  The content of the email suggests that a Ro-Ro of around 1,600 lane metres is in mind.  Although this is similar to MISTRAL I'm told that this will be a new vessel to the fleet which would be chartered in for the purpose.

"P&O Ferries is pleased to announce the launch of a new Calais - Tilbury - Calais daily service operating from end September 2019. This is in response to customer demand for an improved unaccompanied product connecting cargo flows from Calais and Continental rail connections with a location close to London, and therefore supports both your traffic flows and safeguarding your customers' supply chains with improved BREXIT options.

The service will provide space for 12 self-drive tractor-trailers and 90 unaccompanied trailers or containers per sailing. The ship is planned to arrive in Tilbury daily at 0430 hours enabling your driver to be on the M25 before 0600 hours.

A new direct route to and from Tilbury gives you quick and direct access to the M25 London markets, the South of England and also all the Regional Distribution centres north of London / along the M1 corridor up to Birmingham.

This route saves up to 75 miles / 125 km each way versus the traditional Dover-Calais crossing.

Not only will you save fuel, but also save on drivers hours, and wear and tear on your vehicles and trailers.
Fast discharge of vessels means units available in Tilbury 0600 hours or before, placing your drivers on the M25 beating the rush hour.

Allocated space for regular round trip shippers guarantees availability to support your contracts.

Fast turnaround of units gate to gate on all our terminals."

P&O Ferries

https://www.niferry.co.uk/po-ferries-to-open-new-calais-freight-route/

[RorieLen]

I haven't seen this reported on here but P&O put a notice out to customers last week stating the European Causeway has been delayed in dry dock. The ship is at Cammell Laird since 3rd September and was due back around 20-22 September but it looks as if she won't return until 3rd October at the earliest.

It's not a criticism, but I find it strange how companies like Stena Line and Irish Ferries have almost their every move scrutinised on forums like this while companies like P&O largely go unnoticed!

[Steven]

I haven't seen this reported on here but P&O put a notice out to customers last week stating the European Causeway has been delayed in dry dock. The ship is at Cammell Laird since 3rd September and was due back around 20-22 September but it looks as if she won't return until 3rd October at the earliest.

It's not a criticism, but I find it strange how companies like Stena Line and Irish Ferries have almost their every move scrutinised on forums like this while companies like P&O largely go unnoticed!

Must admit it has been a while since I've had a "debate" with TC!!  Anyway, here's some gossip


(As I posted to the Ferries! Facebook group)

P&O Ferries EUROPEAN SEAWAY left Dunkerque last night under the tow of the tug FAIRPLAY 33 according to a post on the DFE forum.  It appears Seaway's AIS was switched off a couple of days ago.  Destination is Gdansk.  Looks like Seaway is in a pretty bad way after her little incident last month and can't get to Poland under her own power!!!  Apparently she was assisted at Dunkerque by no less than 4 port tugs!

[Steven]

EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY went back into service a little earlier than expected, and the cow catcher has returned!  Everything back to normal on Larne - Cairnryan

https://www.niferry.co.uk/european-causeway-back-at-larne-ahead-of-return-to-service/

[scomac]

NORBANK is covering for refits on the North Channel route from today - read more at this link: https://www.niferry.co.uk/pos-norbank-covering-north-channel-dry-dockings/

[giftgrub]

According to posts on the Facebook

Looks like P&O are about to bring one of the two vessels laid up on the river Fal back into service, jobs being advertised on Clyde Marine website would suggest Pride or Burgundy is coming back as time in shipyard before service is mentioned.

European Seaway has made multiple drydock appearances before coming off service.

https://www.clyderecruit.com/job/master-required-for-roro-passenger-vessel/?fbclid=IwAR1QIkudZjdpQvFIsJwUXnUe5m52QjKX4CxMF8_lW9t4SfODz5dstmRheuM

[ferryfan]

Could this advert possibly relate to IF new service? IOI is in dry dock and a Master with experience on the route would be definitely a preferred option. The dates would also give the impression that it is related to the new service "commencing mid June 2021 First Second and Chief officers also required.

[ferryfan]

Confirmed by P&O Burgundy will resume services in a move designed to "take back market leadership on a principal UK_EU trade route" and in response to the start of Irish Ferries sailings.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent-business/county-news/ferry-returns-to-cross-channel-route-246309/

[hhvferry]

Confirmed by P&O Burgundy will resume services in a move designed to "take back market leadership on a principal UK_EU trade route" and in response to the start of Irish Ferries sailings.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent-business/county-news/ferry-returns-to-cross-channel-route-246309/

What a shambles it is that they ever managed to lose their market leadership. There has been some serious business negligence that it's got to this point.

[ferryfan]

Pride of Burgundy which was brought back into service to counter the Irish Ferries Service, has been laid up in Tilbury since the 14th August.

[SEA]

Very strange , Norbank left Irish Sea on New years day and Sailed to Rotterdam. Currently moored there in Port

[hhvferry]

Apparently covering for the Rotterdam ships on overhaul.

[giftgrub]

One of the new P&O Dover Calais vessels has been floated out at the GSI yard in China, after months of no information on their progress, one vessel appears to be ready for fitting out and the other not far behind.

Images are currently unavailable, but press release due soon with details. In images posted online before being taken down they look very different (obviously) but could be a game changer on the short sea route if they have got the figures right with regards to the hull, power, stabilisation etc.

[giftgrub]

Some images of the new P&O Dover Calais vessels have resurfaced on the web, posted on the ferryvolution Facebook page.

The cow catcher bows always make purpose built Dover vessels look odd, but these are the largest most unique purpose built ferries we have seen in a long time.

[giftgrub]

More on the new P&O Ferries here

https://www.niferry.co.uk/first-new-po-ferries-dover-ship-floated-out-in-china/amp/