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Pride of Kent resumes services from Dover

15:39, 20 May 2022

updated: 16:26, 20 May 2022

A second P&O ship is now running from the Port of Dover.

The Pride of Kent is back in action, and is running eight services a day between Kent and Calais.

Pride of Kent has set sail again from Dover. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Pride of Kent has set sail again from Dover. Picture: Barry Goodwin

The ship had been berthed at Dover since March 17, when P&O axed nearly 800 seafarers in a shock move with no consultation or prior warning.

The firm said the decision was necessary to keep the business from collapsing.

After making its staff redundant, P&O brought in agency staff to run its ships on cheaper wages.

Protests were held following the move, with calls to boycott the company also heard.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) were also tasked with carrying out safety inspections on the ships before they could set sail again.

Protesters in Dover the day after P&O Ferries made hundreds of staff redundant
Protesters in Dover the day after P&O Ferries made hundreds of staff redundant

The Pride of Kent failed its first inspection, and then was reinspected a further three times before it was finally passed earlier this month.

A record number of deficiencies were found on the ship however.

But it is now taking passengers and freight across the Channel again.

Its sister ship, Spirit of Britain, is also running from Dover, and is currently making nine crossings a day.

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