Ferry customers will be paying more to cross the Channel from next year when operators are forced to use cleaner but more expensive fuel.

Effective from January 1, the new low sulphur emission legislation requires vessels operating in the English Channel, the Baltic Sea, and the North Sea to comply.

It requires these ships to use fuel with a maximum of 0.1% sulphur, making it cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

According to a document published by P&O Ferrymaster, this is down from the current 1%.

P&O Ferries has had a staffing reshuffle, creating a “flatter” management structure and slashing some wage packets by half.

Workers have been in contact with the appropriate unions and it was confirmed last week that consultation is still going ahead.

DFDS confirmed in October that 22 workers could be made redundant by Christmas as the company considered shutting its customer service and sales department in Whitfield.

In a letter leaked to the Mercury, DFDS did claim it would try and relocate staff members to different departments.

On a positive note, spokesman for P&O Ferries Brian Rees said: “Oil prices have plummeted in recent months to a degree I don’t think people expected – by about 40%. So that helps us.

“On the negative side, that doesn’t get us off the hook as the cleaner fuel we use next year is a lot more expensive than the fuel we currently use – about 70% more expensive at present.”

He added: “The general fall in oil prices doesn’t close that gap, and we still face a very substantial increase in our fuel bill that we have to pass on to customers one way or another.”

Carsten Jensen, senior vice president at DFDS Seaways, said: “The marine environment in which we operate is extremely important to us, and we welcome any steps towards improving the health and sustainability of our seas.

“While it’s true that the incoming Sulphur Emissions legislation will inevitably lead to an increase in fuel costs for all shipping organisations operating in the Channel, North and Baltic Seas, we have invested heavily in preparing to meet this legislation and are ready to comply fully with it.

“The increase in costs will, unfortunately, need to be passed on to customers, however, we are confident that the demand for cross Channel ferry services will continue as they offer freight and tourist customers an easy and cost effective way to travel between the UK and Europe.”