P&O Ferries suspends services ‘for the next few hours’

P&O Ferries told customers on social media that it was unable to operate ferries for the next few hours.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers advised members who work for P&O Ferries not to leave the vessels until clarity was given about the future of UK staff.

Our Port Teams will guide you and you will be arranged via an alternative operator.

We apologize for the hassle this will cause on your journey plans.

Regretfully, P&O Ferries services are unable to run for the next few hours. Our Port Teams will guide you and travel will be arranged via an alternative operator.

We apologise for the inconvenience this will have on your journey plans.

— P&O Ferries (@POferries) March 17, 2022

P&O Ferries is not going into insolvency, according to a statement from the company. All ships have been asked to join us in preparation for the announcement. We are advising travellers of alternative arrangements until P&O services resume.

The person said that they had just advised their people not to leave.

The majority of the firm's staff were members of the union.

A copy of an email to staff about the suspension was sent by East Hull MP Karl Turner. It's troubling for crews and their families. I am in contact with ratings and officer unions.

The email said that a major company announcement would be made today which would secure the long-term viability of P&O Ferries.

All of our vessels have been asked to discharge their passengers and cargo for further instructions.

We are expecting all our ports to experience serious disruption today so please bear with us and we will give further information later today.

If you're in a customer-facing role, you need to know how we want you to work with our customers. Thank you for your support.

.⁦@POferries⁩ have apparently instructed their crews both ratings and officers to tie up vessel’s as they are making a ‘major’ announcement today. This is troubling for crews and their families. I am in contact with ratings and officer unions regarding this. pic.twitter.com/W2Kh5WNval

— Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) March 17, 2022

Grant Shapps told the Commons that he was concerned about the news about P&O Ferries. I am aware that it is temporarily pausing its operations, which is causing disruption on the Short Straits, the port of Dover as well as some other ports.

My officials will be having urgent discussions with P&O about the situation, particularly of concern with their workers.

According to its website, the company operates ferries across the English Channel, North Sea and Irish Sea, with a fleet of more than 20 ships, and employs almost 4,000 members of staff.

The ferries business has faced a challenging trading environment during the year due to the UK and Europe being locked down, but we continue to transport.