A P&O ferry has returned to Dover to make its first sailing for more than a year.

The Pride of Burgundy has returned to the Dover to Calais route to carry freight only to meet the growing demand.

The 28,000-ton ferry, capable of carrying 120 trucks, brings the number of vessels operating on the route for P&O to five.

Peter Hebblethwaite, managing director of P&O Ferries, said: “I am delighted to see the restoration of our Dover-Calais fleet to its pre-pandemic strength of five.

"Pride of Burgundy will reinforce our freight service by increasing capacity and flexibility on the route – a vital artery of trade upon which thousands of businesses and consumers rely.

"With international trade at the heart of economic recovery, continual investment in our Dover-Calais route will encourage supply chain resilience by connecting people, businesses and nations.”

First announced in April, the Pride of Burgundy’s return follows P&O Ferries’ space sharing agreement with rival operator DFDS on the Dover-Calais route.

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