P&O Cruises has clarified its position after its namesake P&O Ferries cancelled services and fired 800 workers.
Earlier today it was announced that P&O Ferries had made 800 seafarers redundant as it was "not a viable business" in its current state. The firm, bought by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World in 2019, said it has suspended sailings "for the next few days".
However, P&O Cruises has spoken out to confirm they are not associated with P&O Ferries. In a tweet, P&O Cruises said: "P&O Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & PLC and as such is entirely unrelated to P&O Ferries."
READ MORE: All P&O Ferries sailing staff 'made redundant' after suddenly suspending services
P&O Ferries, which transports passengers and freight, operates four routes: Dover to Calais; Hull to Rotterdam; Liverpool to Dublin; and Cairnryan, Scotland, to Larne, Northern Ireland. It has 2,200 employees remaining in the UK. and began operating ferries in the 1960s.
P&O Ferries said in a statement: "In its current state, P&O Ferries is not a viable business. We have made a £100 million loss year on year, which has been covered by our parent, DP World. This is not sustainable.
"Our survival is dependent on making swift and significant changes now. Without these changes, there is no future for P&O Ferries."
The company added that after "seriously considering all the available options", it has taken the "very difficult but necessary decision" to hand immediate severance notices to 800 seafarers.
Those sacked will be compensated for the lack of notice with "enhanced compensation packages". Sailings were halted on Thursday morning and will remain suspended "for the next few days", P&O Ferries told passengers.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: "This scandalous action shows sheer contempt for the workforce. Unscrupulous employers cannot be given free rein to sack workers and replace them with agency staff."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said his officials "will be having urgent discussions with P&O about the situation, particularly of concern for their workers".
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