View source for P&O Ferries

{{Short description|British ferry company}}
{{About|the ferry line|the separately-owned British cruise line|P&O Cruises|the separately-owned Australian cruise line|P&O Cruises Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}

{{Infobox company
| name = P&O Ferries
| logo = [[File:Po ferries new logo.svg]]
| image_size = 500px
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| predecessor = {{ubl|[[P&O (company)|P&O]]|[[Townsend Thoresen]]|[[P&O European Ferries]]|[[P&O Irish Sea]]|[[P&O Portsmouth]]|[[North Sea Ferries|P&O North Sea]]|[[P&O Scottish Ferries]]}}
| foundation = 2002
| location = [[Dover]], England
| parent = [[DP World]] ( since 2019 )
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Peter Hebblethwaite, [[CEO]]}}
| num_employees =
| industry = [[Transport]]
| services = {{unbulleted list|Ferries|Port services|Passenger transportation|Freight transportation}}
| revenue = 
| result = 
| homepage = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''P&O Ferries''' is a British shipping company that operates [[ferry|ferries]] from Scotland to Northern Ireland, and from England to [[Continental Europe]] (France, Belgium and the Netherlands). The company was created in 2002 through [[mergers and acquisitions]] within [[P&O (company)|P&O]]. It has been owned by [[Dubai]]-based [[DP World]] since 2019.

==History==
=== 1960s–1989 ===
[[P&O (company)|P&O]] originally established ferry services in the late 1960s in the [[North Sea]] between Hull and Rotterdam and the [[English Channel]] between Southampton and Le Havre. 
In the late 1970s P&O was affected by a reduction in traditional shipping activities which saw the sale of a number of its businesses and assets. This continued into 1985 with the sale of its cross-channel ferry activities to [[European Ferries]],<ref name="MMC1986">{{cite web |date=December 1986 |title=Report into the Merger of P&O and European Ferries Group Plc |url=http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1986/208pen_oriental_steam_nav_comp_euro_ferries_group_plc.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206100233/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1986/208pen_oriental_steam_nav_comp_euro_ferries_group_plc.htm |archive-date=6 December 2010 |access-date=24 January 2013 |website=Monopolies and Mergers Commission}}</ref> which at the time consisted of services on the [[Port of Dover|Dover]]–[[Boulogne]] and [[Portsmouth]]–[[Le Havre]] routes the latter having transferred from Southampton in December 1984.<ref name="MMC1997">{{cite web |date=November 1997 |title=Report into the Merger of P&O and Stena Line AB |url=http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1997/409stena.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318061548/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1997/409stena.htm |archive-date=18 March 2010 |access-date=24 January 2013 |website=Monopolies and Mergers Commission}}</ref>

In January the following year, P&O purchased a 50.01% interest in European Financial Holdings Ltd, which held 20.8% of shares in European Ferries,<ref name="MMC1986" /> followed in 1987 with the purchase of the remaining shares of the European Ferries Group whose ferry services were trading as [[Townsend Thoresen]]. Following the [[MS Herald of Free Enterprise|''Herald of Free Enterprise'']] disaster in March 1987, the operations of Townsend Thoresen were renamed P&O European Ferries on 22 October 1987, with operations from [[Portsmouth]], [[Felixstowe]] and Dover.

=== 1990–2019 ===
Following a consultation with the [[Competition Commission (United Kingdom)|Competition Commission]] beginning 28 November 1996,<ref name="MMC1997" /> P&O European Ferries split into three separate subsidiaries: P&O Portsmouth, P&O North Sea and the creation of a joint venture between P&O and the Swedish ferry company [[Stena Line]]'s UK subsidiary Stena Line (UK) Ltd to create [[P&O Stena Line]] in Dover.<ref name="MMC1997" />

In April 2002, P&O announced its intention to purchase Stena Line's 40% share of the joint venture. The purchase was completed by August, and in October 2002<ref>{{cite web |title=P&O FERRIES LIMITED – Overview (free company information from Companies House) |url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/00237626 |access-date=9 July 2016 |website=beta.companieshouse.gov.uk}}</ref> the Portsmouth and North Sea operations were merged with the Dover operations to create P&O Ferries Ltd, jointly managing all services from its head office, Channel House in Dover.

In September 2004, P&O Ferries Ltd conducted a business review that concluded with the announcement of closure of several of its long-term Portsmouth-based routes, leaving only the Portsmouth – [[Bilbao]] route in operation. These closures were predominantly blamed on the expansion of low-cost airlines and the increasing usage of the [[Channel Tunnel]] as a faster alternative to ferry operations.<ref name="closure">{{cite news |date=28 September 2004 |title=P&O to slash workforce by 1,200 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3696126.stm |access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref>

In 2006, the P&O Group, including P&O Ferries was sold to Dubai-based [[DP World]]. Shortly afterwards it was taken over by [[Dubai World]].<ref name="NIF">{{cite web |title=P&O Ferries sold back to DP World|first=Steven|last=Tarbox |url=https://www.niferry.co.uk/po-ferries-bought-back-by-dp-world/ |date=21 February 2019 |website=NI Ferries}}</ref>

On 15 January 2010, P&O Ferries announced that it would be closing the Portsmouth–Bilbao route by the end of September to coincide with the end of its existing charter for ''[[Pride of Bilbao]]''. This meant the closure of the final route served by P&O Ferries in Portsmouth.<ref name="bilbao">{{cite web |date=15 January 2010 |title=P&O Ferries withdraw from Bilbao |url=http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/_footer_About_about_P&O_Ferries_press_releases_PR_-_P&O_Ferries_to_withdraw_from_Bilbao_service_in_September.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927003752/http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/_footer_About_about_P%26O_Ferries_press_releases_PR_-_P%26O_Ferries_to_withdraw_from_Bilbao_service_in_September.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=24 January 2013 |website=P&O Ferries}}</ref><ref name="bbcbilbao">{{cite news |date=15 January 2010 |title=Portsmouth to lose Pride of Bilbao ferry service |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8461624.stm |access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref>

In January 2019, P&O Ferries announced that its UK fleet would be reflagged from Dover, UK to [[Limassol]], Cyprus in response to the [[Brexit|United Kingdom's exit from the European Union]] in 2019 "For operational and accounting reasons". [[Cyprus]] is a member of the EU and a [[flag of convenience]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Cyprus: An International Maritime Centre |url=https://www.tax-news.com/cyprus/cyprus_an_international_maritime_entre.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214165757/http://www.tax-news.com/cyprus/cyprus_an_international_maritime_entre.asp |url-status=usurped |archive-date=14 December 2010 |access-date=29 January 2019 |website=Woltes-Kluwer Global Tax News}}</ref> with the reflagging allowing P&O to continue to benefit from EU tax arrangements.<ref name="standard23ja19">{{cite web |last=Bonnie Christian |date=23 January 2019 |title=P&O Ferries to re-register all ships on the English Channel under Cyprus flag ahead of Brexit |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/po-ferries-to-reregister-all-ships-under-cyprus-flag-ahead-of-brexit-a4045786.html |access-date=29 January 2019 |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]]}}</ref> According to the [[National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers|Rail, Maritime and Transport union]], the reflagging was "pure opportunism", saying that the firm's "long-term aim has always been to switch the UK fleet to a [[tax haven]] [[Register of shipping|register]]".<ref name=standard23ja19/>

On 20 February 2019, DP World announced it had repurchased P&O Ferries from Dubai World in a £322&nbsp;million deal.<ref name=NIF />

===Since 2020===
==== 2022 staff sacking ====
{{Main|P&O dismissal controversy}}
On 17 March 2022, P&O abruptly suspended its operations, cancelling all sailings and offloading passengers and cargo. [[P&O sacking of 800 staff|Eight hundred UK staff were told in a video call]] that their employment was "terminated with immediate effect due to redundancy", and that their work would in future be undertaken by staff contracted to a third-party supplier. Staff on some ferries refused to leave their vessels. A spokesman for the [[National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers]] said that there had been no consultation with the staff or [[trade union]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Martin|first=Josh|date=17 March 2022 |title=P&O cancels services and tells ships to stay in port |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60779001 |access-date=17 March 2022}}</ref> The chair of the [[Transport Select Committee]], [[Huw Merriman]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]], criticised P&O.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayes |first1=Andy |last2=Enokido-Lineham |first2=Olive |title=P&O Ferries: Staff protest against 'vicious' sackings as minister says there is nothing government can do |url=https://news.sky.com/story/p-o-ferries-union-urges-staff-to-protest-against-vicious-move-after-800-workers-sacked-with-plans-to-be-replaced-with-cheaper-labour-12568972 |date=18 March 2022 |website=Sky News }}</ref> In the light of this action by P&O Ferries, the UK government stated it would review its contracts with the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 March 2022 |title=P&O Ferries faces backlash after firing 800 workers |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60789612 }}</ref> This resulted in calls to boycott P&O Ferries including by members of the public, businesses in the travel trade and politicians.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Jacobs Media Group Ltd |title=P&O Ferries faces boycott calls as backlash mounts against seafarer sackings|first= Phil|last= Davies|url=http://travelweekly.co.uk/news/tourism/po-ferries-faces-boycott-calls-as-backlash-mounts-against-seafarer-sackings |date=18 March 2022 |website=Travel Weekly }}</ref>

The method of the expulsion, overseen by ex-military security guards, was criticised by several government and business leaders. Mark Russell, a non-executive director of DP World, resigned afterwards in disagreement with the way in which the restructuring was carried out. P&O Ferries had seen losses during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] as well as deficits in its pension fund. Industry sources also cited its high overheads and competition from [[Irish Ferries]] as potential contributory factors. Verity Slater, partner and expert in maritime employment law at Stephens Scown, said that P&O may not have to follow UK employment laws, since some of its ships are not registered in Britain.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Armitage |first1=Jim |last2=Arlidge |first2=John |last3=Hellen |first3=Nicholas |last4=Al-Othman |first4=Hannah |title=Bungs, handcuffs and foreign job ads: inside story of the P&O sackings |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/bungs-handcuffs-and-foreign-job-ads-inside-story-of-the-p-o-sackings-cml3x5sfx |work=[[The Times]] |date=19 March 2022 }}</ref>

On 24 March 2022, P&O Ferries CEO Peter Hebblethwaite confirmed before the Transport Select Committee of MPs that the management of the company acted unlawfully when it fired the crew members without consultation.<ref>{{cite web |title=P&O Ferries boss admits firm broke law over sackings – and reveals to MPs new workers earn £5.15 an hour|first=Alix|last=Culbertson |url=https://news.sky.com/story/p-o-bosses-did-not-consult-before-sacking-800-staff-because-no-union-would-accept-the-proposal-12573997 |date=25 March 2022 |website=Sky News }}</ref> [[Grant Shapps]] said that P&O Ferries should change the names of [[MS Spirit of Britain]], [[MS Pride of Hull]], [[MS Pride of Kent]] and [[MS Pride of Canterbury]] to remove all British references, were it found that P&O had broken the law.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 March 2022 |title=P&O Ferries: Not consulting on job cuts broke law, boss admits |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60862933 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=P&O Ferries workers who have been fired 'forced to sign gagging order in return for redundancy pay'|first=Helen-Ann|last=Smith |url=https://news.sky.com/story/fired-p-o-workers-forced-to-sign-gag-order-in-return-for-redundancy-pay-12572351 |date=21 March 2022 |website=Sky News }}</ref> Shapps confirmed that the ships concerned would only be able to operate following full training and subsequent inspection by the [[Maritime and Coastguard Agency]].<ref>{{cite web |date=22 March 2022 |title=Safety checks for P&O Ferries' ships as claims new crews earn below £2 an hour |url=https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-03-22/safety-checks-for-p-and-o-ferries-ships-as-claims-new-crews-earning-below-2-an-hour |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=ITV News }}</ref>

In March 2022, Shapps wrote to Hebblethwaite to give him "one final opportunity" to reinstate the 800 workers.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.joe.co.uk/news/po-ferries-grant-shapps-final-opportunity-325138 |title=P&O Ferries: Transport Secretary tells boss to reinstate 800 sacked workers |first=Eva |last=Evans |date=24 March 2022 |website=JOE.co.uk |access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref> Hebblethwaite declined to do so and confirmed his intention to remain in the CEO post despite two of the company's ships being impounded on safety grounds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/i-will-not-backtrack-and-i-will-not-resign-says-p-o-ferries-boss-peter-hebblethwaite-tnfkkvvjg |title=Defiant P&O Ferries chief refuses to rehire sacked workers or quit |first=Ben |last=Clatworthy |date=29 March 2022 |work=[[The Times]] |access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref>

The controversy also caused [[P&O Cruises]], another company originally owned by P&O but which was [[divestment|divested]] in 2000 and acquired by [[Carnival Corporation & plc]] in 2003,<ref name="P&Oprincess">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4459526/PandO-reshapes-cruise-float.html|title=P&O reshapes cruise float|last=Bennett|first=Neil|publisher=Telegraph|date=23 July 2000|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="P&Odeal">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2359839.stm|title=Carnival cruises towards P&O deal|publisher=BBC|date=25 October 2002|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> to suffer public backlash and to embark on an [[advertising campaign]] to clarify their separate ownership from P&O Ferries.<ref name="ferriessacking">{{cite news|title=P&O Cruises takes out adverts to make clear it is not related to disgraced P&O Ferries|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/p-and-o-cruises-advertising-campaign-ferries-mass-sackings-b991745.html|last=Blake|first=Elly|publisher=Evening Standard|date=31 March 2022|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref>

On 25 April 2022, it was reported that P&O Ferries was forced to reverse its attempt at pay cuts for the new workers. [[National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers]], also known as RMT Union, received reports of seafarers being asked to sign new contracts with reduced payment. The union reported the company to the [[Maritime and Coastguard Agency]], which made sure that the wages were not reduced.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61209894 | title=P&O forced to reverse attempt at pay cut |first=Simon|last=Browning| work=BBC News  |date=25 April 2022}}</ref> In November 2024, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that P&O Ferries' actions in 2022 cost the business £47&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goodley |first=Simon |date=13 November 2024 |title=P&O Ferries spent £47m on mass layoffs amid financial woes, accounts show |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/13/po-ferries-spent-47m-on-mass-layoffs-amid-financial-difficulties-accounts-show |access-date=13 November 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Other brands===
Over the years P&O Ferries operated various subsidiary ferry companies, each with their own distinctive name, these included:
* Pandoro Ltd and Ferrymasters Ltd<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/category/pastandpresent/ferries/pandoro/ | title=Pandoro Overview | publisher=Dover Ferry Photos | date=9 February 2023}}</ref>
* [[P&O Irish Sea]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irish-ferries-enthusiasts.com/po-irish-sea/
 | title=P&O Irish Sea | publisher=Irish Ferries Enthusiasts | date=9 February 2023}}</ref>
* [[P&O European Ferries]]
* [[P&O Portsmouth]]
* [[North Sea Ferries|P&O North Sea Ferries]]
* [[P&O Stena Line]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2002/apr/24/travelnews.travel | title=P&O cuts Stena ferry ties | work=The Guardian | date=24 April 2002}}</ref> ([[joint venture]])

==Operations==
Throughout its history, P&O Ferries has operated in five main areas, centred around Dover, Portsmouth, Southampton, the Irish Sea and the North Sea.

==={{anchor|Dover – Calais}}Dover===
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{{further|topic=P&O's Dover operations between 1998 and 2002|P&O Stena Line}}
P&O began ferry operations in Dover in 1976 with a route to Boulogne in France under the Normandy Ferries brand using the ferry MV ''Lion'' which had previously served on the former Burns & Laird Line route between Ardrossan and Belfast. Burns & Laird Line was part of the P&O Group at the time. P&O Normandy Ferries eventually supplemented the Dover-Boulogne route with the twin sisters MV ''Panther'' and MV ''Tiger'', both former Danish ferries.
The  Dover-Boulogne route was sold to European Ferries on 4 January 1985<ref name="ferryfan">{{cite web |title=Ferry Fantastic: The Cross-Channel Ferry Companies – P. & O. Ferries (1980–1985) (2002 to present)|url=http://www.ferryfantastic.webs.com/ferrycompanies.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130115010609/http://www.ferryfantastic.webs.com/ferrycompanies.htm |archive-date=15 January 2013|website=Ferry Fantastic}}</ref> which rebranded them, along with its Southampton–Le Havre route, as Normandy Ferries Ltd. Following the purchase of European Ferries, P&O operated routes from Dover to [[Calais]] in France and [[Zeebrugge]] in Belgium, initially trading under the [[Townsend Thoresen]] brand; however, due to the bad publicity that the ''Herald of Free Enterprise'' disaster brought to that brand in March 1987, the services were subsequently rebranded to P&O European Ferries, with most vessels named with the prefix ''Pride of''.

Prior to the acquisition, European Ferries had ordered two purpose-built vessels for the Dover–Calais route. These were delivered in June and December 1987 as {{MS|Pride of Dover||2}} and {{MS|Pride of Calais||2}}, taking on the role of flagships for P&O European Ferries. P&O's Dover operations remained largely unchanged until 1998 when they were merged with Stena Lines Dover and [[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]] operations to form P&O Stena Line (P&OSL) in response to the increased competition from the Channel Tunnel which opened in 1994 and the coming end to [[duty-free shop]]ping within the [[European Union|EU]] in July 1999. As a result, vessels were renamed from the recognisable ''Pride of'' prefix to instead be prefixed with ''P&OSL'' in 1999. P&OSL operated eleven vessels, eight of which provided a freight and passenger service on the Dover–Calais route and the remaining three a freight service on the Dover–Zeebrugge route.

In August 2002, P&O acquired Stena Line's 40% share of P&OSL, which were re-merged with the Portsmouth and North Sea operations under the P&O Ferries brand. In December 2002, the Dover–Zeebrugge route closed, leaving only the Dover–Calais route remaining. Vessel prefixes were again changed to ''PO'' before they were repainted into a new livery and then resuming the use of the ''Pride of'' prefix in 2003.
[[File:P&O_Ferries_Dover_Harbour.jpg|thumb|right|280px|''[[Pride of Burgundy]]'' and ''[[Pride of Kent]]'' in Dover Harbour.]]

On 8 August 2008, P&O Ferries announced it had placed a €360&nbsp;million order with [[STX Europe]] for two new ships to replace the ageing ''Pride of Dover'' and ''Pride of Calais''. The two new vessels, {{MS|Spirit of Britain||2}} and {{MS|Spirit of France||2}}, are 49,000 [[gross tons]] and 210 metres long, making them the largest ferries to operate in the English Channel. They were the first passenger ferries in the world to comply with the new [[SOLAS Convention|SOLAS]] "Safe Return to Port" requirements.<ref name="CBR 2009-03-03">{{cite web |last=Reinikainen |first=Kari |date=3 March 2009 |title=STX Europe starts production of first of P&O Ferries' two new buildings |url=http://www.cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=259:stx-europe-starts-production-of-first-of-pao-ferries-two-newbuildings&catid=43:latest-news-catecory&Itemid=115 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090504070643/http://www.cruisebusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=259:stx-europe-starts-production-of-first-of-pao-ferries-two-newbuildings&catid=43:latest-news-catecory&Itemid=115 |archive-date=4 May 2009 |access-date=4 March 2009 |website=Cruise Business Online}}</ref>

''Spirit of Britain'' entered service on 21 January 2011 replacing ''Pride of Dover'', which remained in layup in [[Tilbury]] before being sold and scrapped in late 2012. ''Spirit of France'' entered service on 9 February 2012. ''Pride of Calais'' remained in service primarily as a freight ferry to cope with demand following the collapse of [[SeaFrance]], before being withdrawn on 20 October 2012 and subsequently chartered to [[TransEuropa Ferries]] although this charter was somewhat short lived and ''Pride of Calais'' subsequently followed her sister, ''Pride of Dover'', to the scrapyard and she was beached in Turkey in late 2013<ref>{{cite web |last=smithysrat |date=28 June 2014 |title=Pride Of Calais – Beaching – the end of an era |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-fTpCi9PNc  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/D-fTpCi9PNc |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

New [[Hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid ship]]s with 8.8 MWh battery and 4 7.5 MW motors are planned to enter service (<abbr title="Entry Into Service">EIS</abbr>) on the Dover-Calais route by 2023. These ships will be the first double-ended ferries to operate the Dover-Calais service. They will be the world's largest double-ended ferries, with a length of 230 metres, even larger than the [[MS Spirit of France|Spirit-class ships]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ashmore |first1=Jehan |title=New Ships for P&O Ferries Dover-Calais Route to Enter Service by 2023 |url=https://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/45297-new-p-o-ferries-for-premier-dover-calais-route-to-enter-service-by-2023 |website=afloat.ie |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210103105824/https://afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news/item/45297-new-p-o-ferries-for-premier-dover-calais-route-to-enter-service-by-2023 |date=4 February 2020|archive-date=3 January 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=[PR] P&O Ferries Releases First Images of €260m New Super-Ferries Designed to Revolutionise Transport Between Britain and Europe |url=https://www.niferry.co.uk/pr-po-ferries-releases-first-images-of-e260m-new-super-ferries-designed-to-revolutionise-transport-between-britain-and-europe/ |website=NI Ferry Site |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201130013630/https://www.niferry.co.uk/pr-po-ferries-releases-first-images-of-e260m-new-super-ferries-designed-to-revolutionise-transport-between-britain-and-europe/ |archive-date=30 November 2020 |date=1 February 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=P&O Orders ABB Hybrid Propulsion Systems for New Ferries|date=24 September 2020 |url=https://shipandbunker.com/news/emea/939933-po-orders-abb-hybrid-propulsion-systems-for-new-ferries |website=Ship & Bunker |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201102172519/https://shipandbunker.com/news/emea/939933-po-orders-abb-hybrid-propulsion-systems-for-new-ferries |archive-date=2 November 2020 |url-status=live}}
</ref> On 21 December 2020, it was announced that the keels for the first three ships in the new class were laid, with the following delivery dates scheduled for the first two: 23 September 2022 and 23 March 2023.<ref name="Schulte">{{cite web|url=https://schultemarineconcept.com/keel-laying-of-1500-pax-ropax-at-po-ferries/|title=Keel laying of 1500pax ROPAX at P&O Ferries|publisher=Schulte Marine Concept|date=20 December 2021}}</ref> On 2 January 2022, the first ship of the class was launched and a few days later, the names of the two new ships were announced as ''P&O Pioneer'' and ''P&O Liberte''.<ref name ="Pioneer">{{cite web|url=https://www.niferry.co.uk/first-new-po-ferries-dover-ship-floated-out-in-china/|title=First New P&O Ferries Dover Ship Floated Out In China|publisher=NI Ferry Site|date=8 January 2022}}</ref>

===Southampton===
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2022}}
P&O began ferry operations in Southampton in 1967 with a route to Le Havre in France in a joint venture with [[Société Anonyme de Gérance et d'Armement|SAGA]] under the Normandy Ferries brand, later rebranded as P&O Ferries. The {{MV|Dragon|1968|6}}, owned by P&O, was registered in Southampton whereas her identical sister, {{MV|Leopard}}, flew the French flag and was registered in Le Havre. This route was sold to European Ferries in January 1985 which rebranded them, along with its Dover-Boulogne route, as Townsend Thoresen.

===Portsmouth===
{{more citations needed|section|date=May 2022}}
P&O's Portsmouth operations began with their acquisition of Normandy Ferries' Portsmouth-Le Havre route, branding it as P&O Normandy Ferries and offering a twice-daily service, initially competing with both [[Brittany Ferries]] and [[European Ferries#Townsend Thoresen|Townsend Thoresen]]. In 1985, P&O sold its ferry operations to European Ferries before returning to the market in 1987 with its takeover of European Ferries the same year, this time employing the P&O European Ferries brand.

Following the acquisition in 1987, P&O European Ferries operated routes from Portsmouth to [[Cherbourg]] and Le Havre. The Cherbourg route was operated by the 'Super Viking' class vessels [[MS Viking Voyager|''Pride of Cherbourg''<sup>1</sup>]] and [[MS Viking Viscount|''Pride of Winchester'']] until 1994 when they were replaced by the two [[Jumboisation|jumbo]] 'Super Vikings', [[MS Viking Valiant|''Pride of Cherbourg''<sup>2</sup>]] and {{MS|Pride of Hampshire||2}}. On the Le Havre route the jumbo 'Super Vikings' ''Pride of Hampshire'' and ''Pride of Le Havre''<sup>1</sup> initially serviced the route supported at various times by chartered in freight vessels or transferred 'European' class vessels. However, their low capacity meant that by 1991 larger vessels were required; this was eventually solved by the introduction of two German-built vessels, [[MS SNAV Sardegna|''Pride of Le Havre''<sup>2</sup>]] and [[MS Pride of Portsmouth|''Pride of Portsmouth'']] in 1994.

[[File:Pride of Bilbao.jpg|275px|thumb|right|[[MS Pride of Bilbao|''Pride of Bilbao'']], an archetypical cruise ferry. Built for [[Viking Line]] and operated by P&O Ferries between Portsmouth in the UK and Bilbao in Spain from 1993 to 2010.]]

In 1993 P&O opened a new route from Portsmouth to Bilbao, Spain, using the [[MS Pride of Bilbao|''Pride of Bilbao'']] operating a twice weekly service. This was the longest route that P&O Ferries operated and was often late arriving due to the weather conditions in the [[Bay of Biscay]].{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

1998 saw the introduction of a new [[high-speed craft|high-speed service]] on the Portsmouth–Cherbourg route using the ''Superstar Express'', being replaced by the larger [[Incat]]-built 91m long [[HSC Express|''Portsmouth Express'']] in 2000. The change to the larger vessel did not go smoothly, and the new ship suffered a number of technical problems, forcing P&O Portsmouth to recall ''Superstar Express'' for a short time from its new home on the [[Cairnryan]]–[[Larne]] route until the problems were solved. ''Portsmouth Express'' gained a reputation of being unreliable, and services were frequently cancelled due to technical problems and the weather, but her larger size and long-term charter agreement meant she remained on the service for a number of years. For her 2003 season she was painted in standard P&O Ferries livery and her trading name was shortened to "Express", with her official name becoming ''Catalonia A''. In her final season in 2004, the vessel was officially renamed ''Express'' but adopted the trading name ''Cherbourg Express''.

In summer 2004 P&O Ferries operated a Portsmouth–[[Caen]] route using the Incat 91 model catamaran [[HSC Max Mols|''Max Mols'']] from [[Mols-Linien]], trading under the name ''Caen Express''. However, this was short lived, with P&O Ferries announcing on 28 September 2004 its planned closure of the Portsmouth–Cherbourg and Caen routes and the transfer of the Portsmouth–Le Havre route to Brittany Ferries due to falling passenger numbers and rising costs. ''Caen Express'' was returned to Mols-Linien in October 2004, and the Portsmouth–Cherbourg route closed on 14 January 2005. Following the intervention of the [[Office of Fair Trading]] and the [[Competition Commission]], Brittany Ferries backed out of the deal to take over the Le Havre route, so Portsmouth–Le Havre remained under P&O Ferries until its closure on 30 September 2005.<ref name="onboardport">{{cite web |title=Pride of Portsmouth |url=http://www.onboardpoferries.com/fleet/archive/poportsmouth9405/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425055417/http://www.onboardpoferries.com/fleet/archive/poportsmouth9405/index.html |archive-date=25 April 2012 |access-date=15 November 2011 |website=On Board P&O}}</ref>

The Bilbao route remained as the only Portsmouth operation, until on 15 January 2010, P&O Ferries announced they would withdraw the service at the end of ''Pride of Bilbao'''s charter. The vessel completed her final voyage on 28 September 2010 and was returned to [[Irish Continental Group]], from whom she had been chartered since the route's inception.<ref name="bbcbilbao" /> This marked the end of P&O's operations from Portsmouth.

===North Sea===

[[File:Norsun (IMO 8503797).jpg|thumb|The ''[[MS GNV Antares|Norsun]]'' at her regular berth in Hull, 2001.]]
P&O's involvement in the North Sea ferry routes began with a 35% stake in [[North Sea Ferries]] owned by its subsidiary [[General Steam Navigation Company]].<ref name="onboardnorth">{{cite web |title=North Sea Ferries |url=http://www.onboardpoferries.com/features/northsea/northseaoperations.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107020738/http://www.onboardpoferries.com/features/northsea/northseaoperations.html |archive-date=7 November 2011 |access-date=16 November 2011 |website=On Board P&O}}</ref> North Sea Ferries had begun operations on 17 December 1965 sailing on the [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]]–[[Rotterdam]] route, a route which critics predicted would not survive. The numbers proved them wrong, however, and in the first year, 54,000 passengers were carried.<ref name="onboardnorth" /> By 1974, demand for capacity was greater than could be supplied, and two vastly bigger vessels, {{MS|Norland||2}} and {{MV|Norstar||2}}, which were at that time the largest ferries in the world,<ref name="onboardnorth" /> were introduced to the route.

The two vessels {{MS|Norwind||2}} and Norwave were transferred to a new route, Hull–Zeebrugge, operating a nightly service departing 30 minutes after the Rotterdam service sailed. The two routes remained unchanged, with the exception of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] chartering ''Norland'' for service with the [[Falklands War|British Task Force]] to the [[Falkland Islands]] in 1982. The two routes were becoming increasingly popular, and in 1987 the larger {{MS|Norsun||2}} and {{MS|Norsea||2}} were introduced on the Hull–Rotterdam route, the two displaced vessels moving to Hull–Zeebrugge and the sale of both ''Norwind'' and ''Norwave''.

As part of the success of the routes, dedicated freight routes were introduced from [[Teesport]] to both Rotterdam and Zeebrugge on a nightly basis. However, the ships quickly began to struggle to cope with demand, and in 1994 new superfreighters were introduced on the Hull routes.  A new river berth was therefore constructed to accommodate the freight only vessels, however they were still small enough to pass through the lock at King George Dock if required.

By 1996 P&O owned a 50% stake in North Sea Ferries, the other 50% owned by [[Royal Nedlloyd Group]]. In a multimillion-pound deal, [[Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company|P&O]] purchased Royal Nedlloyd Group's stake, and North Sea Ferries was rebranded to P&O North Sea Ferries. Continuing success saw the purchase of two new superferries weighing 60,000 tonnes from [[Fincantieri]], entering service in 2001 as {{MS|Pride of Rotterdam||2}} and {{MS|Pride of Hull||2}} and once again holding the title of 'world's largest ferry'. ''Norsea'' and ''Norsun'' were refitted and returned to P&O North Sea Ferries on the Hull–Zeebrugge route as ''Pride of York'' and ''Pride of Bruges''.

Following P&O's acquisition of P&O Stena Line in 2002, P&O North Sea Ferries was merged and rebranded with P&O's Portsmouth and Dover operations under the current P&O Ferries Ltd name.

P&O Ferries host many themed minicruises on the Hull to Rotterdam route. These include the now traditional 'Hulloween' minicruise on 28 October and music minicruises with 50s and 60s music.

===Irish Sea===
{{further|topic=P&O's Irish Sea operations|P&O Irish Sea}}
[[File:Pandoro Buffalo.jpg|thumb|Pandoro ferry ''Buffalo'' leaving Fleetwood]]
In 1971 P&O purchased the remains of [[Coast Lines]] which had been operating in the [[Irish Sea]] since 1913. In December 1974, P&O founded Pandoro Ltd to provide transport operations to Ireland.<ref name="POCoast">{{cite web |url=http://www.poships.co.uk/Coast%20Lines.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425231428/http://www.poships.co.uk/Coast%20Lines.html|archive-date=25 April 2012|title=Coast Lines (Est. 1913)|year=2007|publisher=The Coast Lines Group|website=P.O.S.H}}</ref> A number of different routes were started and ceased operating as the [[The Troubles|'Troubles']] affected the car/passenger market to Northern Ireland.

In 1993 Pandoro added a service operating between [[Rosslare Harbour|Rosslare]], Ireland, and Cherbourg, France, to its [[Ardrossan]]–Larne, [[Liverpool]]–[[Dublin]] and [[Fleetwood]]–Dublin routes.

[[P&O Irish Sea]] was formed in 1998, following the merger of the Cairnryan-based service of P&O European Ferries (Felixstowe) Ltd and Pandoro Ltd (who operated routes between England, Scotland and France to Ireland).<ref>{{cite web |title=History|publisher=P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea)|url=http://www.poirishsea.com/information/history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000527053406/http://www.poirishsea.com/information/history.htm |archive-date=27 May 2000}}</ref> The following year (1999), the new P&O Irish Sea announced its intentions to purchase a purpose-built Ro-Pax (roll-on, roll-off, vehicle/passenger) vessel from [[Mitsubishi]] of Japan for the Liverpool to Dublin route. This would see the transfer of ''European Leader'' (ex ''Buffalo'') back to the Fleetwood route.

In 2004, P&O closed its Fleetwood – Larne services with the sale of all interests. In addition to the service rights, ''European Leader'', ''European Pioneer'' and ''European Seafarer'' were sold to the Swedish Stena Line group. At the same time, P&O announced the closure of the Mostyn – Dublin service due to low passenger numbers. This led to the sale of ''European Ambassador'' and ''European Envoy'' for further service in Europe.{{citation needed|date=July 2009}} In 2010, P&O Irish Sea was absorbed back into the parent company.

In January 2016, it was announced that the seasonal [[Troon]] to Larne service would cease with immediate effect due to the unprofitability of the route.<ref>{{cite news |date=13 January 2016 |title=P&O Ferries: Larne to Troon route to close with immediate effect |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-35301329 |access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> The service had ended for the 2015 season in September of that year.

== Fleet ==

===Present fleet===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! '''Name'''
! '''Built'''
! '''Route(s)'''
! '''Tonnage'''
! '''Port of Registry'''
! '''Notes''' 
! '''Image'''
|-
|{{MS|European Causeway||2}}||March 2000||Cairnryan–Larne||align="center"|20,646||Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}} || || [[File:The_"European_Causeway"_at_Larne_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1196641.jpg|200px]]
|-
|[[MV European Highlander (2002)|''European Highlander'']]||June 2002||Cairnryan–Larne||align="center"|21,188||Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}} || || [[File:European_Highlander.jpg|200px]]
|-
|''Mistral''||August 1999||Dublin-Liverpool||align="center"|10,471||[[Brändö]], {{flag|Finland|civil}} || || [[File:Mistral (1999).jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Norbank||2}}||October 1993||Tilbury–Rotterdam<ref>{{cite web |title=P&O Ferries launching new London to Netherlands ferry service |url=https://www.niferry.co.uk/po-ferries-launching-new-london-to-netherlands-ferry-service/ |website=NIFerrysite |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>||align="center"|17,464||Rotterdam, {{flag|Netherlands|civil}} || || [[File:Norbank.JPEG|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Norsky||2}}||April 1999||Tilbury–Zeebrugge||align="center"|19,992||[[Helsinki]], {{flag|Finland|civil}} || || [[File:Norsky_06Aug05_NW_bow_2.JPG|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Norstream||2}}||September 1999||Tilbury–Zeebrugge||align="center"|19,992||Helsinki, {{flag|Finland|civil}} || || 
[[File:Norstream (IMO 9186194).jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MV|P&O Liberté||2}}||2024||Dover–Calais||align="center"|47,394||[[Limassol]], {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || || [[File:POLiberte.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MV|P&O Pioneer||2}}||2023||Dover–Calais||align="center"|47,394||[[Limassol]], {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || || [[File:P&O Pioneer 2ème journée à Calais.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Hull||2}}||April 2001||Hull–Rotterdam||align="center"|59,925||Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}} || || [[File:Pride_of_Hull_at_Kingston_upon_Hull_5.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Rotterdam||2}}||September 2000||Hull–Rotterdam||align="center"|59,925||Rotterdam, {{flag|Netherlands}} || || [[File:Pride_of_Rotterdam_in_Europoort.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Spirit of France||2}}||January 2012||Dover–Calais||align="center"|49,000||Limassol, {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || || [[File:SoF_Dover.JPEG|200px]]
|-
|''Wilhelmine''||July 2012||Middlesbrough–Rotterdam||align="center"|16,342|| {{flag|Malta|civil}} || || [[File:Wilhelmine (ship, 2012) IMO 9539080 Calandkanaal pic4.JPG|200px]]
|}

===Former fleet===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! '''Name'''
! '''Built'''
! '''Service'''
! '''Route(s)'''
! '''Tonnage'''
! '''Port of Registry'''
! '''Fate''' 
! '''Image'''
|-
| {{MV|Buffalo|1975|2}} || 1975 || 1975–2004 || Fleetwood–Larne (freight), Dover–Boulogne (freight) || 3,483 || London {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}} || Renamed ''European Leader'' in 1998. Sold to [[Stena Line]], 2004. Scrapped at [[Aliağa]] in 2014.
|-
|{{MS|European Mariner||2}}||October 1977||1993–2011||Larne-Troon (freight)||5,897||Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}||2|Scrapped at [[Aliağa]] in 2011, Replaced by {{MS|Norcape|}}.
|-
|{{MS|Norcape|}}||1979||1979–2011||Hull-Zeebrugge, Tilbury-Zeebrugge (freight), Liverpool-Dublin, Larne-Troon (freight)||14,087||Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}|||Scrapped at [[Aliağa]] in 2011.
|-
|{{MS|Norking||2}}||1980||1991–2011||Middlesbrough-Rotterdam/Zeebrugge (freight), Tilbury-Zeebrugge (freight)||17,884||Helsinki, {{flag|Finland|civil}}|||Sold to [[Salamis Lines]], Greece and renamed ''MV Alios''.
|-
|{{MS|Norqueen||2}}||1980||1991–2013||Middlesbrough-Rotterdam/Zeebrugge (freight), Tilbury-Zeebrugge (freight)||17,884||Helsinki, {{flag|Finland|civil}}||Operating in [[Philippines]] as ''MV Super Shuttle RoRo 9''.
|- 
|{{MS|Pride of Dover||2}}||1987||1987–2010||Dover-Calais||26,433||Dover, {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}||Replaced by {{MS|Spirit of Britain|}} and Laid up in [[Tilbury]] until 2012. Scrapped at [[Aliağa]].
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Calais||2}}||1987||1987–2012||Dover-Calais||26,433||Dover, {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}||Replaced by {{MS|Spirit of France|}}, Spent three months with [[Transeuropa Ferries]] as ''MV Ostend Spirit'' and Scrapped at [[Aliağa]] in 2013.
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Portsmouth||2}}||1989||1994–2005||Portsmouth-Le Havre||33,336||Portsmouth, {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}||Sold to [[SNAV]], renamed ''SNAV Lazio''.
|-
|[[MS SNAV Sardegna|''Pride of Le Havre'']]||1989||1994–2005||Portsmouth-Le Havre||33,336||Portsmouth, {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}||Sold to [[SNAV]], renamed ''SNAV Sardegna''.
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Bilbao||2}}||1986||1993–2010||Portsmouth-Bilbao||37,799||Portsmouth, {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}}||Chartered from [[Irish Continental Group]], sold to [[St. Peter Line]] and renamed ''SPL Princess Anastasia''.
|- 
|{{HSC|Express||2}}||May 1998||2005–2015||Larne–Troon/Cairnryan||5,902||Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}||Laid up in Landskrona, [[Sweden]].
|-
|{{MV|European Endeavour||2}}
|September 2000
|2000–2019
|Liverpool–Dublin
|22,152
|Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}
|Sold to [[Eckerö Line]] May 2019, renamed ''Finbo Cargo''.
|-
|[[MS GNV Aries|''Pride of York'']]
|September 1986
|1986–2021
|Hull-Zeebrugge
|31,785
|Nassau, {{Flag|Bahamas|civil}}
|Sold for scrap at [[Aliağa]].
| [[File:Pride of York (IMO 8501957) Hull 2003.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Bruges||2}}
|September 1986
|1986–2021
|Hull-Zeebrugge
|31,598
|Nassau, {{Flag|Bahamas|civil}}
|Sold to [[Grandi Navi Veloci]] April 2021, renamed GNV Antares.
|-
|{{MS|European Seaway||2}}||October 1991||1991–2021|| Dover-Calais ||align="centre"|22,986||[[Limassol]], {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || Sold to Sea Lines renamed Sea Anatolia. 
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Burgundy||2}}||March 1993||1993–2023|| Dover-Calais ||align="centre"|28,138||[[Limassol]], {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || Sold for scrap at [[Aliağa]]|| [[File:Pride_of_Burgundy.JPG|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Kent||2}}||June 1992||1992–2023|| Dover-Calais ||align="centre"|30,365||[[Limassol]], {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || Sold for scrap at [[Aliağa]]|| [[File:Nordfrankreich11-11-074_Calais_P%26O_Pride_of_Kent.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Norbay||2}}||March 1994||1994–2023|| Liverpool-Dublin ||align="centre"|17,464||[[Hamilton, Bermuda|Hamilton]], {{flag|Bermuda|civil}} || Charted to Irish Ferries for 6 months || [[File:NORBAYslr.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Pride of Canterbury||2}}||June 1992||1992–2023|| Dover-Calais ||align="centre"|30,365||[[Limassol]], {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || Sold for scrap at [[Aliağa]]|| [[File:Nordfrankreich11-11-076_Calais_P%26O_Pride_of_Canterbury.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{MS|Spirit of Britain||2}}||June 2010||2010–2024|| Dover-Calais ||align="right"|49,000||[[Limassol]], {{flag|Cyprus|civil}} || Charted to Irish ferries || [[File:Spirit_of_Britain_in_pursuit.jpg|200px]]
|-
|}

==Routes==
P&O Ferries has operated the following routes:

===Passenger / freight routes===
*Ardrossan–Larne (1970–2001) – transferred to Troon
*Dover–Calais – operated by [[Townsend Thoresen]] until 1987
*Dover–Boulogne (1965–1993)
*Dover–Zeebrugge (1987–1991) – operated by Townsend Thoresen until 1987
*Dublin-Cherbourg (2002–2004)
*Felixstowe-Zeebrugge (1987–2002) – operated by Townsend Thoresen until 1987
*Felixstowe-Rotterdam (1987–2002) – transferred to Stena Line
*Fleetwood–Larne (1973–2004) – transferred to Stena Line
*Hull–Rotterdam – operated by [[North Sea Ferries]] until 1997
*Hull–Zeebrugge – ceased at end of 2020 season due to unprofitability <ref>{{cite web|url=https://zeebrugge-hull.com/|title=Ferry Zeebrugge Hull // Alle Prijzen & Tijden|website=Zeebrugge – Hull}}</ref>
*Larne–Cairnryan – operated by Townsend Thoresen until 1987
*Larne–Troon (2001–2015) – ceased at end of 2015 season due to unprofitability
*Liverpool–Belfast (1971–1981) 
*Liverpool–Dublin – operated by [[B&I Line]] until 1975
*Middlesbrough-Gothenburg (1981–2001)
*Mostyn–Dublin (2001–2004)
*Portsmouth–Cherbourg (1987–2005) – operated by Townsend Thoresen until 1987
*Portsmouth–Le Havre (1987–2005) –             "                            "
*Portsmouth–Caen (2004)
*Portsmouth–Bilbao (1993–2010)
*Rosslare–Cherbourg (1993–2005) – transferred to [[Celtic Link Ferries]]
*Southampton–Le Havre (1967–1985) – transferred to Normandy Ferries Ltd

===Freight-only routes===
* Dover – Zeebrugge (1991–2002)
* Rotterdam – Tilbury (from 2024)
* Teesport – Zeebrugge
* Tilbury – Zeebrugge

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |title=P&O 180: the history of P&O Ferries |date=2016 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=9781911268031 |editor-last=Cowsill |editor-first=Miles |location=Ramsey, Isle of Man}}
*{{cite book |last1=Dawson |first1=Philip |title=P&O at 175: a world of ships and shipping since 1837 |last2=Peter |first2=Bruce |date=2012 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=9781906608392 |location=Ramsey, Isle of Man}}
*{{cite book |last=Hendy |first=John |title=Ferries of Dover |date=1993 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=978-0951350690 |location=Staplehurst, Kent}}
*{{cite book |last=Hendy |first=John |title=Ferry Port Dover: the development of cross-channel vehicle ferries, their services and allied infrastructure |date=1997 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=978-1871947472 |location=Staplehurst, Kent}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hendy |first1=John |title=P&O: the fleet. |last2=Cowsill |first2=Miles |date=2008 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=9781871947946 |location=Ramsey, Isle of Man}}
*{{cite book |last=Hendy |first=John |title=Two New Ships, One New Era: P&O Ferries' Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France |date=2011 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=9781906608156 |location=Ramsey, Isle of Man}}
*{{cite book |last1=Hendy |first1=John |title=P&O Ferries: through five decades |last2=Cowsill |first2=Miles |date=2012 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=9781906608385 |location=Ramsey, Isle of Man}}
*{{cite book |last=Hendy |first=John |title=Remembering the Chunnel Beaters: The Pride of Dover and the Pride of Calais |date=2015 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=9781906608842 |location=Ramsey, Isle of Man}}
*{{cite book |last1=Rabson |first1=Stephen |title=P&O: A Fleet History |last2=O'Donaghue |first2=Kevin |publisher=[[World Ship Society]] |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-905617-45-9 |location=Kendal |page=527}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|P&O Ferries}}
* [https://www.poferries.com Official P&O Ferries website]
* [https://www.poferries.se Swedish website]
* [https://www.poferriesfreight.com P&O Ferries Freight Site]

{{Dubai World}}
{{P&O}}
{{P&O ships}}
{{Scottish Ferry Operators}}

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