Ferry Service from Calais to Dover Back to Normal

The ferry services between French port Calais and UK counterpart Dover are running to schedule, ferry operator MyFerryLink informed.

The services have been restored following a shutdown on June 24 and subsequent delays over the past couple of days caused by the strike of Calais port workers over job cuts.

Helen Deeble, Chief Executive of P&O Ferries, said: “Our services have been stopped in Calais as a result of the decision by Eurotunnel to charter and then sell two of their ships to DFDS, at short notice and with neither party appearing to engage constructively with the French sea-going and shore staff at MyFerryLink.”

Some 600 former employees of SeaFrance were operating the MyFerryLink ferry service between Calais and Dover.

Nevertheless, the deal between DFDS and Eurotunnel will mean that 200 people might lose their jobs.

“After taking the necessary time to consider the interests of all stakeholders, DFDS confirms that it filed an offer today (June 24) to the administrators of SCOP Seafrance. If accepted, this offer is expected to result in 202 jobs for SCOP Seafrance employees.

It would also mean that DFDS would operate three vessels between Calais and Dover: One of the current ships on the route plus the newly chartered vessels Rodin and Berlioz,” DFDS said in a statement.

DFDS said it would employ 1000 French staff, hereof 650 in Calais, and operate nine ships, including five under the French flag, on four routes from France.

Even though the strike has ended, P&O Ferries said that roads are still heavily congested asking for travelers to allow extra time for their journey to Calais.

World Maritime News Staff