Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries "Space Sharing" on Dover- Calais Route

Irish Ferries has entered into a space-sharing agreement with competitor P&O Ferries for the busy Dover-Calais route. This new arrangement is designed to provide greater flexibility and more choices for both companies' customers.
 

Key Details of the Agreement

Under this space charter agreement, both Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries will share capacity on their vessels sailing between Dover and Calais. This will enable customers to have more frequent sailing options. Despite the shared capacity, all commercial activities, such as ticketing and onboard services, will remain independently managed by each company.

John McGuckian, Chairman of Irish Continental Group (ICG), which owns Irish Ferries, explained that the space-sharing agreement initially targeted freight customers over the summer. The next step is to extend these benefits to passenger traffic, providing a “turn up and go” service that is expected to enhance flexibility and customer choice once fully rolled out.
 

Expansion of the Irish Ferries Fleet

As part of their expansion strategy on the Dover-Calais route, Irish Ferries recently introduced the Oscar Wilde, a former P&O Ferries vessel previously known as the Spirit of Britain. The Oscar Wilde, which can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers, was brought into service before the peak summer travel period in June.

The acquisition of the ship involved a two-year charter deal at a daily rate of €20,000, followed by a purchase obligation of €74.8 million, totalling €89.4 million. This addition to the fleet allowed the smaller ferry, Isle of Innisfree, to be reassigned to the Rosslare-Pembroke route after a refit in July.

In another fleet update, a vessel previously operating on the Rosslare-Pembroke route was renamed James Joyce and moved to the Dublin-Holyhead route, allowing the return of the chartered vessel Norbay to its original owners.

These changes have enabled Irish Ferries to increase capacity for both passenger and freight customers on the Dover-Calais and Irish Sea routes.
 

Positive Financial Results and Growth Prospects

The recent developments come as Irish Ferries reported strong financial performance for the first half of the year. The company posted an operating profit of €9.5 million, a significant increase from €5.3 million in the same period last year. Revenue also rose to €197.6 million from €179.8 million.

Passenger volumes saw a notable increase of 22%, reaching 1.3 million, while the number of cars carried rose by 21% to 277,200. Passenger revenues grew by 16.8% compared to the previous year. According to Irish Ferries, these gains reflect strong growth in volumes, revenue, and profitability for its ferry division.
 

What This Means for Travellers

The space-sharing agreement between Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries on the Dover-Calais route promises more sailing options and greater flexibility for both freight and passenger customers. Additionally, the expansion of the Irish Ferries fleet and the reallocation of vessels across routes will enhance capacity, aiming to provide a more efficient and convenient service for all travellers.