New P&O ferry makes maiden voyage

P&O Ferries has celebrated the maiden voyage of the Spirit of France, which has started service on the Dover to Calais route this month.

The new ship is a 'super-ferry' that measures 213 metres in length, with space to transport 2,000 passengers and 195 cars. It arrived in Dover on January 28th following a handover ceremony in Rauma, Finland.

According to P&O Ferries, is it one of the two largest ferries ever built for the Dover Strait, along with its sister vessel the Spirit of Britain.

The company spent a total of €360 million (£301 million) on the two ships - the largest investment it has ever made.

P&O will now go into direct competition with DFDS Seaways, which is due to launch a Dover-Calais service in association with LD Lines on February 17th.

A spokesperson for the company told ifw-net.com: "We don't underestimate the challenge from DFDS and are more than ready for it."