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16^th May 2024 – Dover, UK:

QUEUE-BUSTING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN P&O FERRIES AND IRISH FERRIES ANNOUNCED

• Dover-Calais ferry customers to benefit from new space charter agreement between P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries.

• Under the new arrangements, arrivals at ports will be offered crossings on the next available ferry, whichever company is operating it.

• The Spirit of Britain, specifically built for the Dover-Calais route, will be chartered by Irish Ferries to serve customers on the Channel crossing.

• Dover-Calais is the single largest commercial route servicing the UK and the Continent.

Dover, 15 May 2024 – Ferry customers will see faster, more efficient crossings between Dover and Calais after P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries announced a new space charter on the route.

The agreement means customers booked with either carrier will be offered the next available departure when they arrive at the port, whichever company is operating it – helping them reach their destination faster.

Initially serving freight customers, the agreement means all freight on the quayside will be shipped on the next available sailing on either carrier. This will ensure ferry capacity is fully utilised, easing port congestion, lowering the carbon footprint of the cross-Channel route and delivering efficiencies.

Under the agreement, the two operators plan to extend the space charter arrangement to passengers,enabling them to benefit from greater flexibility over travel times, reduced port waiting times, and reduced delays if they miss intended crossings, particularly in peak periods.

This space charter will benefit ferry customers focussed on both journey time and the value offered by ferry crossings, and gives a significant upgrade to the Dover-Calais ferry proposition compared to other options.

All commercial activities remain entirely under the control of each of P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries.

Announcing the deal, P&O Ferries Chief Executive Peter Hebblethwaite said:

“P&O Ferries is determined to give our customers the best possible service and enable them to reach their destination faster.

“Our Dover-Calais customer satisfaction ratings are the highest they’ve been for five years and we have seen the positive impact of steps we have already taken to make the ferry option better, faster and more flexible. Our new space charter agreement will help us continue that journey.

“We are charting a course for the future of ferry travel. With P&O Ferries’ modern fleet, including two revolutionary hybrid vessels, we are setting a new standard and ensuring that our customers enjoy a journey that's faster, greener and more enjoyable.

“We are looking forward to welcoming millions more travellers onboard our ships this summer.”

Contact

P&O Ferries Press Office

E: POFerries.PressOffice@edelman.com

T: +44 203 047 2460

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