New ferry Spirit of
Britain arrives in Dover

The first of the two new superferries being built for the
Dover-Calais service has arrived in Dover.

Spirit of Britain left the shipyard in Finland on Wednesday
after undergoing sea trials and sailed into Dover Harbour this
morning (Sunday).

The new ship, together with other ferries in the P&O fleet,
were dressed overall for the occasion, and two Dover Harbour Board
tugs fired their water cannons in salute as the ship sailed into
port.

She is due to come into service on January 21.

Helen Deeble, chief executive of P&O Ferries, said: “We are
delighted to welcome this fantastic new ship to Dover ready to
start service later this month.

"She offers a leap forward in terms of her size and the quality
of the build and I’m confident that she’ll provide a fantastic
experience for all of the customers who will travel on her in the
years to come.”

An ice-breaker accompanied the ship as far as Stockholm. The
crew then encountered heavy snow and a 40-knot headwind, but Senior
Master Captain David Miller said the ship was "Sailing serenely"
towards Copenhagen.

The Finnish flag was lowered and the Red Ensign was raised in
its place as the ship was officially handed over to its owners,
P&O Ferries, before the ship set sail.

The second ship, Spirit of France, is currently being
constructed and is due to come into service later this year. The
ships cost more than £330 million.

At 213 metres long and weighing 49,000 tonnes, they will be the
largest ever to operate between Dover and Calais.

They each have a carrying capacity of 180 articulated lorries
plus 200 cars and 1,750 passengers.

The ships are replacing the Pride of Dover - which has already
been withdrawn from service - and the Pride of Calais.