Dover to Calais ferries suspended because of 24-hour strike

The Spirit of Britain arrives at the Port of Dover, in Kent, as P&O Ferries resume Dover-Calais sailings for freight customers. The vessel was detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on April 12 after safety issues were found, but was cleared to sail last Friday. The ferry company sacked nearly 800 seafarers with no notice on March 17, replacing them with cheaper agency workers. Picture date: Wednesday April 27, 2022. — The National Day of Action in France has put a stop on ferries to and from Calais (Picture: PA)

Ferries to and from Calais have been suspended today due to a national strike in France.

The Port of Dover is still open with services to Dunkirk running as normal, but travellers should expect roads in Kent to be ‘busier than usual’.

‘Please plan ahead, allowing extra time for your journey and traffic systems that are in place to minimise delays,’ the seaport said.

‘Calais sailings are expected to resume at approximately 2pm UTC from Dover.’

P&O Ferries said it has produced an ‘optimised’ sailing schedule in light of the 24-hour walkout – known as the National Day of Action in France – but the level of disruption can’t be anticipated.

‘It is expected that this action will affect multiple outlets and services throughout France,’ it said.

The Spirit of Britain (top) passes the Pride of Canterbury (middle) and the Pride of Kent (bottom) as it arrives at the Port of Dover, in Kent, after completing further sea trials as P&O Ferries prepare to resume Dover-Calais sailings for freight customers. The vessel was detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on April 12 after safety issues were found, but was cleared to sail last Friday. The ferry company sacked nearly 800 seafarers with no notice on March 17, replacing them with cheaper agency workers. Picture date: Tuesday April 26, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story SEA Ferries. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire — Ferries to Dunkirk are running as normal (Picture: PA)

A view of check-in at the Port of Dover in Kent, following a weekend of long delays as families embark on getaways at the start of the summer holidays for many schools in England and Wales. Picture date: Monday July 25, 2022. — Roads around Dover in Kent will be busier than usual (Picture: PA)

The company added: ‘Due to the lack of details, we cannot anticipate the level of disruption this will have to our optimised schedule, and it is possible that our wider operations could be affected throughout the day.

‘Please be assured that we will attempt to limit this disruption wherever possible however, if your journey is not essential, we do advise that you rearrange your travel to an alternative date.’

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