By
Alex Smith |
UK ferry operator P&O Ferries has made 800 members of its crew redundant following financial losses.
“P&O Ferries plays a critical role in keeping trade flowing, supply chains moving, and connecting families and friends across the North and Irish seas and the English Channel,” said the operator in a statement. "However, in its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. We have made a £100m loss year-on-year, which has been covered by our parent DP World. This is not sustainable. Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries.”
"These circumstances have resulted in a very difficult but necessary decision, which was only taken after seriously considering all the available options. As part of the process we are starting today, we are providing 800 seafarers with immediate severance notices and will be compensating them for this lack of advance notice with enhanced compensation packages.”
Ferry services onboard P&O Ferries’ ships were temporarily paused ahead of the announcement. The company has further stated that many of its services will be disrupted over the next few days, with alternative arrangements being made for passengers travelling on its route between Dover, UK, and Calais, France.