P&O Ferries has sacked 800 staff that work on its vessels with immediate effect

P&O Ferries has sacked 800 staff that work on its vessels with immediate effect, as the company fights for survivaI in a statement, released on Thursday afternoon, it said:

“P&O Ferries plays a critical role in keeping trade flowing, supply chains moving, and connecting families and friends across the North and Irish seas and the English Channel. We have been at the heart of this service for years and we are committed to serving these vital routes.

"However, in its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. We have made a £100m loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent DP World. This is not sustainable. Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes there is no future for P&O Ferries.

"These circumstances have resulted in a very difficult but necessary decision, which was only taken after seriously considering all the available options. As part of the process we are starting today, we are providing 800 seafarers with immediate severance notices and will be compensating them for this lack of advance notice with enhanced compensation packages.

"In making this tough decision, we are securing the future viability of our business which employs an additional 2,200 people and supports billions in trade in and out of the UK. And we are ensuring that we can continue serving our customers in a way that they have demanded from us for many years.”

It is warning of major disruption to travel. Teams on the ground will be arranging travel by other operators, it said.

Passengers should still travel to the port 'as booked', where they will be put on a service that is running 'as quickly as possible'.

Concerns have been raised across the country, as the company operates routes from Dover, Tilbury, Hull and Teesport to France, as well as routes from Liverpool to Dublin and Cairnryan to Larne.

Queues have built on routes to the Port of Dover. Whilst motorists have voiced their frustration at 'confusion' at ports in Hull, Teesport and Liverpool.