Ferry operator blames Peel Ports over decision to axe Liverpool-Dublin route

P&O Ferries will axe its Liverpool to Dublin route later this year, blaming ports operator, Peel Ports, for withdrawing its berth.

A P&O statement said: “Without agreement with the port owner to provide a berth in Liverpool, it is impossible for P&O Ferries to continue operating on this route.

“Extensive negotiations with the owner of our Liverpool site to extend our lease at the port or find an alternative site for our Liverpool-Dublin service to operate from have been unsuccessful.

“P&O Ferries is committed to serving our Irish Sea customers and has explored all options to continue sailing on this route.

“Unfortunately, despite utmost efforts by P&O Ferries to find a viable solution, no suitable alternative has been offered that would enable us to maintain the current service into 2024.

“We are saddened by our forced withdrawal from this route, which will reduce competition and the choice of sailings available to customers on a crossing where there is currently only one alternative operator.”

P&O operates two ferries on the route, providing 24 crossings a week, mainly for transport freight.

The ferry operator will redeploy the vessels on other routes and is now beginning consultations with staff affected by the closure of the route.

The company said: “We will offer support to affected colleagues to find alternative employment within our business, or where that is not possible, help to find employment elsewhere.

“We have also worked to ensure that where possible our customers affected by the intended closure of the Liverpool-Dublin route can access alternative services with other operators.”

Trade union, Unite, said it will maximise payouts for workers affected by the closure, describing the axing of the route as an “historic loss”.

Unite said more than 30 of its members working at the docks servicing the ferries will be affected by the decision.

Bobby Morton, Unite national officer, said: “This is an important ferry service and its loss will be a huge blow to the people of Liverpool and Dublin.

“Unite will now ensure that the affected workers are fully compensated for being made redundant and will also be providing assistance with finding them appropriate new employment opportunities.”

A spokesperson for Peel Ports Group confirmed that the P&O Ferries service would no longer be calling into Liverpool on expiration of their existing contract at the end of 2023.