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P&O Ferries to boost Zeebrugge-Teesport sailings with Finnlines charter

[ February 24, 2023   //   ]

P&O Ferries is to offer new sailings on the Zeebrugge-Teesport route following signing of new agreement with Grimaldi-owned Finnlines.

P&O Ferries will charter Finnlines’ MS Finnpulp for three days a week under a new services agreement, which will increase the number of P&O Ferries sailings to six a week.

P&O Ferries chief executive, Peter Hebblethwaite, said: “In co-operation with Finnlines we will support the UK and European economies by increasing freight capacity and strengthening resilience on the key Teesport – Zeebrugge route. This expansion of our services in response to what our customers are telling us they want demonstrates our commitment to providing vitally important trade routes for UK exporters and trading partners.”

He added that P&O Ferries had made changes to its business allowing it to flex its offer in line with market demand. He said “We are determined to make P&O Ferries the best ferry company in Europe, which means the best ships, the best routes and the best value for tourist and freight customers.”

President and chief executive of Finnlines, Tom Pippingsköld, commented: “We have been pleased by our partnership in Zeebrugge since September 2021 and are delighted to strengthen it further by this contract. We are confident this will be a new and successful milestone for Finnlines and P&O Ferries co-operation on the North Sea.” The new sailings will operate from Tuesdays to Thursdays, giving more freight capacity during the midweek peak. MS Finnpulp has a capacity for 3,259 lane metres of cargo, equivalent to around 225 trailers.

The vessel also operates the recently upgraded Finnlines service between Zeebrugge and Rosslare, Ireland. P&O Ferries will also provide stevedoring and ship handling services for Finnlines’ Zeebrugge to Rosslare route as part of the partnership.

P&O Ferries already operates between Zeebrugge and Tilbury and Zeebrugge and Hull.

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