Home Office and DfT rescind P&O contract as company crackdown goes on May 31, 2022 The Home Office and the Department for Transport (DfT) have announced they rescinded a contract with P&O as the government crackdown against the disgraced ferry operator continues. “The Home Office has terminated its agreement with P&O to provide contingency travel services to juxtaposed ports with immediate effect,” home secretary Priti Patel tweeted last night. “Alongside [...]
P&O’s boss praised for ‘amazing job’ by Dubai owner despite sackings scandal May 30, 2022 DP World, the Dubai-based owner of disgraced ferry operator P&O, has praised chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite for doing an “amazing job” when he fired 800 seafarers in March. Chief executive Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said P&O’s management took the decision without interference from the parent company and that could not be reversed, despite attempts by [...]
Brexit: UK ports introduce customs clearance fees in ‘bulls**t money-making exercise’ to recoup lost revenues May 28, 2022 Ports across the UK have introduced so-called ‘customs clearance fees’ in an attempt to recoup lost revenues in border control posts as a result of delays to phytosanitary procedures. Ports in London, Tilbury, Southampton and Teesport are charging customers new, additional fees that range from £17 to £25 per entry. Moreover, Southampton and DP World [...]
Labour calls to ban P&O management from senior positions May 19, 2022 The Labour Party has called to ban the management of disgraced ferry operator P&O from ever holding any kind of senior position after the company sacked 800 seafarers and replaced them with cheaper workers. “P&O brazenly broke the law and they have faced no consequences for their action,” said shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh during [...]
UK unions and ports slam government’s seafarer minimum wage law May 10, 2022 Both unions and the British Ports Association (BPA) have criticised the UK Government’s introduction of a seafarers’ minimum wage law, calling it “likely unworkable.” “This proposal is feeble and highly unworkable,” said Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the union TUC. “Only stronger employment legislation that boosts worker protections and stops companies firing on the spot [...]
UK ports call on government to compensate them for delaying post-Brexit checks by 18 months May 5, 2022 UK ports have called on the government to compensate them for delaying post-Brexit checks by more than a year and a half. According to the ports, the government delays on checks on European animals and plants announced last week mean that the high-tech facilities built for the inspections will remain empty until the end of [...]
Crew aboard P&O ferry didn’t know how to use survival craft, coastguard says April 28, 2022 Cheaper agency crews brought in after P&O dismissed 800 seafarers didn’t know how to use survival craft, according to a report published today. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) found 23 failures on the Spirit of Britain ferry, including not properly maintained fast rescue boats, broken oil filtering equipment and inadequate fire safety systems. The [...]
Coastguard clears P&O vessel two days after Irish Sea accident April 28, 2022 The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today it has cleared a P&O vessel two days after it ran out of power off the coast of Northern Ireland. “Our surveyors have carried out a full inspection of the European Causeway and are satisfied that it is safe to sail again,” said an MCA spokesperson. Running [...]
Government requires UK ports to check seafarers’ salary after P&O scandal April 27, 2022 UK ports will be required to check whether seafarers are paid minimum wage, the government announced today. Transport secretary Grant Shapps told the Commons’ Transport Select Committee the new legislation will not required ports to “physically enforce” new minimum wage requirements when they are introduced. “What we will require them to do is ask for [...]
P&O restarts Channel sailings as calls for boss resignation pile up April 27, 2022 P&O restarted today its Channel routes amid safety concerns and government calls for boss Peter Hebblethwaite to resign. The Spirit of Britain vessel departed late last night carrying freight customers, as passenger services are expected to resume early next week. Initially detained by the coastguard on 13 April, the Spirit of Britain was cleared for [...]