When P&O commissioned its two massive new ferries, the company had no idea that its main rival, SeaFrance, would go into liquidation. But what timing for P&O. Until a new ferry company takes over SeaFrance or sets up a rival, the considerable freight and passenger traffic is using P&O and its expanding fleet.
It was a bold step to invest in two new ships. Spirit of Britain entered the fleet last year; now P&O Ferries has taken delivery of its second new 180 million euro ship, Spirit of France. It was built at the STX Europe shipyard in Rauma, Finland to high specifications and began its 1,400 mile journey to Dover early in January. Spirit of France will arrive in Dover at 11am this Saturday January 28th. Then there are last minute preparations to make before the new ship joins the Dover-Calais route by mid-February.
The two new ships are the largest ferries ever built for the crossing in the Dover Strait. Each is more than 47,000 gross tons and 213 metres (700 feet) in length, with 12 decks and a capacity of 170 trucks at 15 meters long plus 195 cars, or 1,000 cars and 2,000 passengers. No wonder together the ships cost 360 million euros ($472.5million or £301 million ).
The ships are, as you can imagine, extremely smart, with plenty of lounges and seating areas, good restaurants and shops more like an airport than a ferry.
So if you get the chance, book on one of the new ships.
Check out the Guide to Ferries from the UK