Ferry plan founders
Page 12
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• P&O European Ferries has given up hope of a joint venture with Sealink Stena Line on the short Channel route.
This will leave operators with a choice of two ferry lines or the Channel Tunnel when it comes on line in 1994.
P&O had hoped to pool resources with Sealink on the Dover-Calais route to compete more effectively against the Chunnel.
P&O says: "The joint venture does seem to be off the agenda and we are planning for the Channel Tunnel as an individual entity." And Sealink adds: "We had wanted to work orignally with P&O... but now it's clear there is sufficient market for both operators."
P&O is spending £15m to convert a new freight-only superferry to passenger use because of an expanding passenger market. "This year there has been a 27% increase in the passenger market on Dover-Calais so we had to look at that growth in planning ahead," says the company. "Freight has remained pretty constant."