Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
P&O Ferries stop operation 17 March 2022 P&O Ferries stop operation 17 March 2022
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By Piha
  • 1 Post By tim.angus

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Mar 2022
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 562
P&O Ferries stop operation 17 March 2022
Just been announced that P&O ferries are stopping for an unspecified reason:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60779001

As I hear more I will update this thread.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Mar 2022
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 562
So 800 of their staff have been sacked with immediate effect and, it is thought, that new staff on cheaper and easier for the company contracts no doubt, will be coming in to replace them.

I get that they have been hit by Covid -as have we all - but there appears to be underlying issues with P&O Ferries that are more deep seated - they say that they have been losing £100m year on year which is clearly unsustainable.

The expectation from the company is that they will start running ferries again in a few days - we shall see.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Mar 2022
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 8
An utterly shocking way to treat your employees.

I hope that people will now vote with their wallets but unfortunately money talks.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Mar 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 840
The drop in business during the covid pandemic somehow didn't prevent them paying £270m in dividends to their shareholders.

Can't see me ever using a company that did that, given the choice.

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/ne...acking-316674/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Mar 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piha View Post

I hope that people will now vote with their wallets but unfortunately money talks.
They’ve already got mine - they’re supposed to be bringing us back to the U.K. in just over a fortnight. I’m now wondering if they’ll hold up their part of the deal.

I used to think P&O were the class act of ferries, with the others not much better than jumped up truck transport, but not any longer. What on earth were the management thinking. Did they think we were all looking east and wouldn’t notice. They’d now be far better off keeping the workers and firing all the management.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Mar 2022
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 562
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomkat View Post
The drop in business during the covid pandemic somehow didn't prevent them paying £270m in dividends to their shareholders.

Can't see me ever using a company that did that, given the choice.

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/ne...acking-316674/
That the parent company paid out £270m in dividends is not a reflection on the viability of P&O - if P&O were not losing “£100m” a year then the dividends would have been higher. However there should be some concern about how much cheaper the replacement staff are. If you work on the basis that they new staff are £10 per hour cheaper and they work a 40 week then the saving is less than £20m so they are either getting the incoming staff to pay for the privilege of working for P&O or there is some BS being given out - I think I know which it is.

Personally, I shall not be using P&O again - not because they will be using new staff but because of the way that they have treated their outgoing staff.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 Mar 2022
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: England
Posts: 55
P&O
Many years ago I was a regular user of P&O. They even allowed me to scatter my wife’s ashes from the ferry we used to use. Sadly the current company is a shadow of the one I knew. They even lied to the contract workers saying they were going to go on a new ship and the current crew were bringing the ship in only. I think this is a way of reducing wages and de unionising the workforce. What they have done is actually illegal under current UK law but as we have again sold of the family silver to overseas companies little will be done by the UK government. However people can vote with their feet and there are other operators and the train option.
__________________
Tim & Sue Angus
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Mar 2022
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 562
So that saga continues. There are now 2 P&O ferries that are out of service due to safety concerns relating to the crew and their familiarity with the ships.

I know that the UK voted to leave the EU but I didn't realise that that meant the ferries were going too.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29 Mar 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Benson View Post
So that saga continues. There are now 2 P&O ferries that are out of service due to safety concerns relating to the crew and their familiarity with the ships.

I know that the UK voted to leave the EU but I didn't realise that that meant the ferries were going too.
I give up with P&O. I’m in France at the moment and there’s no certainty that they’ll be able to bring us back. So our only option has been to buy another ticket with another company. I don’t suppose we’ll ever see our original ticket money again, and I won’t forget it. Moral outrage aside I’ll need some convincing on financial grounds to use them in the foreseeable future
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 30 Mar 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
P&O is obviously run by idiots to think they could get away with this.

If you make a government look stupid (er) you are going to find every petty rule and burocratic minutiae is suddenly dealt with in the harshest way possible. Two ships suddenly impounded is the MCA suddenly sure they have support all the way to the top.

The customers are going to vote with their wallets and pick services less likely to fail due to industrial blockades or government revenge.

If P&O want to get thrown out of the UK market I'll take this back, they are doing a great job.

Andy .
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 30 Mar 2022
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 562
An advert popped up on my facebook timeline from P&O Cruises - who were at great pains to make it clear that they were nothing to do with P&O Ferries. It is almost as if P&O had suddenly become a toxic brand name. Who would have thought that? Clearly not the current P&O FERRIES or DP World boards.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Shipping and ferries in/out/around Indonesia MARCH 2017 Adventurism SE Asia 22 28 May 2024 14:05
Morocco March 2022 leevtr Travellers Seeking Travellers 8 18 Mar 2022 06:47
March 2022: New FIA/AIT website for carnet de passages Chris Scott Trip Paperwork 0 7 Mar 2022 22:46
Southern Spain early March 2022 RCarter12 Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 24 Nov 2021 23:39
Baku - March, April & May 2017 - Stop by for a drink. kim Northern and Central Asia 4 21 Apr 2017 07:14

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:17.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top