P&O Ferries is set to make a further 60 people redundant just over a year since it cut almost 800 workers in Dover.

The controversy-hit company has confirmed it is mulling "changes to our management structure" that would also see a further 60 workers moved into different roles.

A spokesperson for the company said the proposals would put it on "a competitive, sustainable footing, and deliver for our customers by offering the best-in-class service on the vital UK tourist and trade routes that we serve".

They added: "These proposals do not affect our operational colleagues below leadership level in any of our UK, Ireland or European ports or any colleagues aboard our vessels.

“We are focused on investing heavily to meet the long-term needs of our customers who want value for money, greener journeys and flexibility.

"We have already improved our service, boosted our competitiveness, and are generating growth while significantly reducing our carbon emissions.

"On the key Dover-Calais route alone we save more than 85,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, and our new hybrid ships coming into service this year will further cut our carbon footprint. Our level of investment in new technology and capacity is unprecedented in the UK passenger and freight maritime industry, and demonstrates our long-term commitment to supporting the growth of the UK economy.”

The cuts come just 13 months after the company catapulted itself into the national gaze after abruptly sacking 786 seafarers and replacing them with agency staff.

The move on March 17, which came without any prior consultation or warning, sparked protests at the port and fury from unions and government officials.

Today, a spokesman for GMB alleged that the union had only been told at the "very last minute" about the new cuts.

"We're very unhappy and frustrated in the way they have started this process, they will say they've done nothing wrong legally, they've done the minimum amount to keep their heads above water legally," he added.

"Yesterday, we were sent an email at 10am and a quick phone call that we couldn't take as the officer was out. As soon as they put the phone down, they walked outside and met the affected people, and gave the impression that the union was fully aware and had been consulted.

"Once again, this is a time when they should be turning their fortunes around with a new super ferry being brought in, but once again they are shedding more staff at a time when they should be investing in the organisation."

A spokesperson for the ferry company responded: "P&O Ferries formally notified both the UK Government and the GMB ahead of sharing our proposals with our staff on Tuesday, in full compliance with UK legal consultation requirements."

Bosses at P&O Ferries, which is owned by parent company DP World, claimed the controversial decision to sack so many workers in 2022 was vital in order to save the struggling business; it had losses of more than £200 million in the previous two years.

Numerous protests were held and eventually all but one member of laid-off staff accepted redundancy packages.

The one who did not take the payment was John Lansdown, who has since won a legal victory against P&O Ferries over the sackings.

P&O Ferries is a separate company to P&O Cruises which is operated by Carnival UK. It split from the ferries part of the business in 2000 and was unaffected by the dismissals in 2022 and this year's redundancies.