Introducing its “Turn-up and Go” space charter with Irish Ferries on the Dover–Calais route, P&O said that, at peak times ships will always be fully loaded for freight, meaning port clearance times will be up to 25% quicker.
During a trial period, which began on 8 July, more than 12,000 freight vehicles were transferred between the two operators.
P&O Ferries Chief Executive, Peter Hebblethwaite, said:“This is a material step forward on previous space charters, ensuring that capacity is fully utilised, reducing port congestion and minimising the carbon impact of the cross-Channel route.”
With a first-come, first-served principle at its heart, he went on, freight customers will be offered the next available departure when they arrive at the port, regardless of which company operates it.
P&O Ferries has also announced increased freight capacity on its route between Tilbury and its hub at Zeebrugge in Belgium with the addition of the Longstone vessel to its fleet.
Its capacity is over 50% greater than P&O Ferries’ existing vessels on the Tilbury–Zeebrugge route. With 4076 lane metres and the ability to carry 346 freight units, the new ship is expected to begin service in early September.
“We are expanding our North Sea network in response to the demand from our customers,"Mr Hebblethwaite said. “Boosting capacity on our routes between Tilbury and the continent of Europe is what our customers need, and will give them even greater direct access to London and its transport connections.”
To complement this maritime expansion, he went on, P&O Ferries has expanded its rail handling service in Zeebrugge with new intermodal services to/from Germany and Central Europe. This substantial boost in capacity for the Zeebrugge–Tilbury route will facilitate smoother trade flows between the UK and Europe.
