P&O Ferries has resumed freight services on its Spirit of Britain ship, but passenger crossings remain suspended. The vessel left Port of Dover on Tuesday evening (April 26).

The vessel was detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on April 12 after safety issues were found, but was cleared to sail last Friday. The ferry company sacked nearly 800 seafarers with no notice on March 17, replacing them with cheaper agency workers. P&O Ferries has not operated between Dover and Calais since the mass sackings.

Passenger services are expected to resume early next week. At the moment, the only passenger services are being provided by DFDS and Irish Ferries.

READ MORE:Dover to Calais DFDS and Irish Ferries crossing times for April 26 as P&O remains suspended

P&O Ferries Updates tweeted today (April 27): “Our services remain suspended today, however we have secured space with DFDS. Please call us on 01304 44 88 88 and we will rebook you. Alternatively, if you do not wish to travel, please email [email protected] and we will process a refund for you.”

The Trade Unions Congress (TUC) has called for a public and commercial boycott of P&O Ferries. The freight departure comes as P&O Ferries said on Tuesday night that a full investigation would be carried out after a vessel travelling between Cairnryan and Larne lost power off the Co Antrim coast. The European Causeway, which can carry 410 passengers, was adrift five miles off the coast of Larne in the Irish Sea for more than an hour on Tuesday afternoon.

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said it had been a temporary issue and the European Causeway had travelled to Larne “under its own propulsion”. Adding: “There are no reported injuries on board and all the relevant authorities have been informed. Once in dock a full independent investigation will be undertaken.”

DFDS

Check-in closes	Departure	Arrival
01:35	02:20	04:50
02:55	03:40	06:10
04:20	05:05	07:35
06:25	07:10	09:40
07:45	08:30	11:00
09:10	09:55	12:25
11:10	11:55	14:25
12:30	13:15	15:45
13:55	14:40	17:10
15:55	16:40	19:10
17:20	18:05	20:35
18:45	19:30	22:00
20:45	21:30	00:00
22:05	22:50	01:20
23:30	00:15	02:45

Irish Ferries

Vessel	Departs	Arrives
Cruise Ferry – Tuesday to Sunday	2.1	4.4
Cruise Ferry – Monday to Saturday	4.4	7.1
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	6.55	9.25
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	9.3	12
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	11.45	14.15
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	14.2	16.5
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	16.3	19
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	19.05	21.35
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	21.15	23.45
Cruise Ferry – Daily service	23.45	2.15

Article Source: Kent Live