P&O Ferries set to close route due to Covid impact

The ferry operator is also planning to reduce the number of services between Dover and Calais, according to multiple media reports.

These moves are set to lead to a loss of around 140 jobs across the entire company.

The RMT union criticised the potential job losses and pointed out the £6.6 million in taxpayer funds received by P&O Ferries this summer to support its Hull routes. The Hull-Rotterdam route is set to continue.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “This does not need to happen but P&O’s owners in Dubai have pulled the plug on this vital route with no consultation, threatening jobs, passenger services and the recovery of Hull’s maritime economy.”

P&O Ferries’ staff were told about the proposed closure of the Hull-Zeebrugge route on Wednesday (30 September) with two ships that operate on the route to be sold. Two vessels that sail the Dover-Calais route are also set to be offloaded.

“Due to the extended impact of Covid-19, we are having to take further difficult action in which some jobs will be made redundant - but as a result thousands more jobs will be saved,” said P&O Ferries in a statement.

"These necessary steps will ensure we are a slimmer and more agile business that is better able to give customers the service they want and the value they demand.”