The ferries sailing between the Netherlands and England operated by P&O and Stena Line will continue to do so for the time being despite the corona crisis. This was confirmed by the two shipping companies. DFDS announced on 19 March it has to cancel the IJmuiden-Newcastle route.
Swedish company Stena Line, which sails from Hoek van Holland to Harwich, says it will continue to sail according to schedule for the time being. The same applies to Stena Line’s freight services between Rotterdam and Killingholme.
P&O Ferries, which operates the ferry link between Rotterdam and Hull, also claims to continue to operate on schedule. People can see on P&O’s Twitter account whether sailings continue and are on time, a spokesperson says.
The two shipping companies say they have taken precautions. They clean more often and provide extra information to passengers.
DFDS cancels sailings
DFDS from Denmark operates the ferry connection between IJmuiden and Newcastle with two ships and first said it expected to be operating according to schedule. However, the recent national measures to slow down the virus spread, including travel restrictions, have forced the company to suspend the sailings until at least 13 April.
Earlier this week, Stena Line announced it would cut 950 jobs in Sweden due to reduced sailings caused by the coronavirus outbreak. DFDS also sent 600 employees home, but they are for now paid through an arrangement similar to working time. Yet, the company does not rule out having to cut jobs in future as a result of the corona crisis.
Source: ANP
Picture: P&O RoRo Ferry Pride of Hull, Rotterdam (by Roel Hemkes).
