As well as the increases in freight, P&O Ferries also received a boost in passenger numbers. Summer holiday passengers flocked to the new P&O PIONEER as the Dover-Calais route saw a 48 per cent increase in passengers compared to the previous year, with 1.3 million passengers travelling across the Channel with P&O Ferries from June to August.

Since entering into service in mid-June, 265,000 passengers travelled on P&O PIONEER in the course of the summer.

Around the UK, P&O Ferries' routes overall saw a 39 per cent increase in total passenger volume on the previous year.

P&O Ferries CEO, Peter Hebblethwaite said "We are delighted by the trust that our customers have put into us to deliver a best-in-class offering on important trade and tourist routes between the UK and the EU. We are serving our customers better than ever and seeing P&O Ferries surging ahead again as the market leader on the Dover-Calais route.
"We are excited that more customers are choosing us on our journey to the sustainable future of travel, and we look forward to welcoming millions more for the exceptional and unique experience of sailing on our new hybrid ships in the months ahead."

June saw the introduction of P&O PIONEER, the world's largest double-ended hybrid ferry, which has the capacity to carry over half a million goods units a year between the UK and the EU.

In early 2024, P&O Ferries' second hybrid vessel, P&O LIBERTE, will enter service on the Dover-Calais route.

© Shippax