THERE has been an increase in tourist and passenger traffic travelling with P&O Stena Line in the first three months of this year, but a drop in freight. The figures, revealed by the company this week, come as no surprise following the announcement that talks are taking place over the future of the freight service between Dover and Zeebrugge.

But they do go against the trend announced by the Port of Dover last month which showed an overall three per cent increase in freight traffic. P&O Stena Line carried 243,000 freight units between in the first quarter of this year, compared with 282,000 in the same period last year. Overall, the port dealt with 444,000 freight movements.

The company claimed the drop was due to SeaFrance increasing their capacity by approximately one third at the end of 2001 with the introduction of their new ship Rodin, and a firm rate stance adopted by P&O Stena Line.

A spokesman said there had been little impact from the problems caused by illegal immigrants for the freight service using the Channel Tunnel. "Much of the traffic, which is mostly unaccompanied trailers, has been diverted to other routes," he said.

P&O Stena Line's tourist business, including coaches, went up from 259,000 to 289,000, and the number of passengers increased from 1.7 million to more than two million. Passengers are also spending more on board the ships.

"Our tourist vehicle carryings increased by 12 per cent. This was partly due to an early Easter but was nevertheless an out performance compared to the market," said the spokesman. "The total passenger market was up two per cent in the quarter with P&OSL carryings 15 per cent above last year. On board sales per passenger continued the strong growth reported in 2001, with average sales 15 per cent higher than in the same period last year."

Forward bookings for the summer are also said to be above last year, but bookings from the Continent remain weak because of the strength of sterling.

P&O has already announced that it will be acquiring Stena Line's 40 per cent shareholding in P&O Stena Line for approximately £150 million. The possible closure of the Dover-Zeebrugge route could take place before the end of this year.