Ferry Time blog

Is there any news about the Dover Harbour Board proposal to privatise the Port of Dover ?

The last I heard, the scheme was under consideration by Her Majesty’s government with a view to agreeing to the sell off. The problem is that the three Dover Calais Ferry operators, P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and NorfolkLine seem to be in dispute with the Harbour board  over the increased harbour fees, and also there is a loose kind of proposal from the Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke which he calls the “People’s Port” and has been criticised by the previous Labour Party MP Gwyn Prosser.

P&O Ferries have written to the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport looking for clarification on the matter.

P&O are not the only shipping line to be concerned by the board’s plans as Norfolkline, SeaFrance and DFDS have also raised the issue on a number of occasions. P&O Ferries CEO Helen Deeble said:

DHB’s proposal is that Opco [the board’s wholly-owned subsidiary as a company limited by shares] should settle a cash sum of £10 million (US$15.7m) on the Port of Dover Community Trust (PDCT), together with a further amount of cash specifically earmarked for (immediate) use to subscribe for securities of Opco having a value of £20 million at the time of sale. The latter element would be cash-neutral to Opco, as the sum contributed for the subscription would return to Opco as paid-up share capital. Opco will also undertake to enter into arrangements to make regular contributions to the PDCT in its early years, so that the PDCT will have an assured income stream during that period.

Does that throw any light on the matter?

Thought not.

P&O Ferries is looking forward to the launch of Spirit of Britain, by far the largest ferry ever designed for the Dover – Calais Ferry route.

The Spirit of Britain ferry is nearing completion prior to starting service in mid January 2011.

The operator P & O Ferries is building a pair of these new ships, the second being Spirit of France which enters service next September.

“This reflects a certain degree of confidence for the long term as the pair of ships are costing the company a cool €360 million,” said a spokesman from P & O.

P&O Ferries New Ships for Dover Calais

Cross channel ferries are coping with extra passenger traffic from people making their way home after bring stranded by flight ban caused by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.

The Port of Dover is running as if it were August with extra sailings, and plenty of spare capacity including foot passenger spaces. Normal turn-up-and-go fares apply.

Eurostar has put on at least an extra 28 trains and says it has 30,000 standard class one-way seats available from today at £89

Tour operators and airlines however, said the backlog caused by the erupting volcano Eyjafjalloekull is so great that it will take up to 14 days to clear.

Many britons held up in Spain are making their way to northern Spanish ports such as Santander to wait for the ferry crossing to Plymouth or else the royal navy ships which are being diverted to help out.

Car Park shopping – Get all you need for the festive season in one place at low prices!

Take the car and up to 2 passengers For Just £7.50 return.

Passengers drive onboard, stay onboard for round trip and stock up with Christmas goodies

You must book and travel before the end of December. Additional passengers £5 return.

On Board Offersm

From 4th December, and only whilst stocks last, we will have:

The Famous Grouse Whisky at 2 litres for £24 (normally £15.49 each, High Street £18.99 each)

Teachers Whisky at 2 litres for just £22 (normally £14.29 each, High Street £17.57 each)

Both these offers are available only whilst stocks last!!

Additionally…

from Friday 27th November, until Christmas Eve

Bell’s Whisky – 2 litres for £24 (normally £14.99 each, High Street £17.19 each)

Gordon’s Gin – 2 litres for £20 (normally £13.99 each, High Street £15.99 each)

The 13th June is the historic Le Mans 24 hour endurance race in the Pays-de-la-Loire region of France. The race is a hugely popular event and never fails to bring in a big crowd. P&O Ferries is the perfect way to attend this prestigious race and ensure that you and your car get there in style!

The 21st June brings a host of reasons why you would want to cross the channel. Firstly, it is the longest day of the year, which means it is perfect for a daytrip! There are a number of attractions within Calais and it’s surroundings, including the pleasant medieval villages of Ardres and Bergues, which are a short drive and perfect for a long lunch.
The 21st June is also Father’s Day, and what could be a better present than a short hop to France to pick up some of France’s finest wine!

Additionally, the 21st June is the British Grand Prix. This is the biggest motoring event in British racing and attracts F1 fans from far and wide. With Silverstone being less than two and a half hours from Dover, it makes it easily accessible for anyone travelling over from the continent.

Finally, the end of June brings one of the biggest events in the global sporting calendar, and that is of course Wimbledon Tennis Championships. This iconic British tournament is widely regarded as the biggest in the world, and attracts tennis and sports enthusiasts from all over the world. Running for two weeks between the 22nd June and the 5th July, it promises sun, rain, Pimms and great tennis. Thousands of people from all over the continent come to Wimbledon, South London for the Championships, and there is no easier way to get there than by making sure you plan your journey with P&O Ferries.

As if that wasn’t enough, P&O Ferries are running a “You deserve a holiday” competition throughout June. Holidaymakers can cross the channel for £30 each way, to help make sure that the holiday budget goes that bit further.

There is the chance to win an amazing 7 day holiday with accommodation and travel. Anyone who enters the prize draw telling P&O Ferries why their friend deserves a holiday can be in with a chance of winning this great prize.

Make sure you enjoy your summer, starting with P&O Ferries and the month of June!

Eurostar Deals from Kent

I met someone in Kent the other day who was worried that the latest eurostar deals are proving too attractive with passenger volumes steadily increasing.

When the Channel Tunnel project reared its head again in the 1980s, the people whose jobs depended on the cross channel ferry industry at Dover and Folkestone were worried that these ports were soon to meet an iminent demise. Once the plans for a rail tunnel were reavealed however, it didn’t look so bad. Having to put your car into a wagon to be transported underneath the channel is not so different to driving onto a roll on roll off ferry. So large freight still travels by ferry, and passengers who prefer a lounge, cafeteria and view of the white cliffs and the ocean prefer that route too.

Competition for Eurostar deals

Eurostar deals are more attractive to people wanting to go direct from London to Paris, unencumbered by a vehicle and as such , the competition is really the airlines rather than the ferries. Here the channel tunnel provides a direct advantage, not from Dover to Calais, but from London to Paris. Here are some more resources which deal with the comparative benefits of a high speed Eurostar service:

• Eurostar Deals lens
• How Eurostar Deals With Moving Stations
• Documenting Eurostar Deals
• Eurostar Deals tag
• Hub Page for Eurostar deals
• Blogspot Eurostar deals blog