UK ferry operator halts sailings before 'major announcement'

LONDON (AP) - P&O Ferries, one of the largest ferry operators serving the United Kingdom, suspended sailings Thursday ahead of what it called a 'œmajor announcement.''

Karl Turner, a lawmaker who represents the area, posted what appeared to be a company statement on Twitter that said the announcement will 'œsecure the long-term viability of P&O Ferries.'ť

'œTo facilitate this announcement all our vessels have been asked to discharge their passengers and cargo and standby for further instructions,'' the statement said. 'œThis means we're expecting all our ports to experience serious disruption today.'ť

The company said in a separate statement that it 'œis not going into liquidation."

There was speculation P&O is 'œplanning to sack hundreds of UK seafarers and replace them with foreign labor," Rail, Maritime and Transport union general-secretary Mick Lynch said.

'œWe have instructed our members to remain onboard and are demanding our members across P&O's UK operations are protected, and that the secretary of state intervenes to save UK seafarers from the dole queue,'ť he said.

P&O told passengers on Twitter that it would be unable to run for the next few hours. 'œOur port teams will guide you and travel will be arranged via an alternative operator,'' it said.

The company operates ferries between the UK and France, Ireland and the Netherlands. P&O, which transports passengers and freight, is owned by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World.

The COVID-19 outbreak had prompted the company to warn in May 2020 that around 1,100 workers could lose their jobs as part of a plan to make the business 'œviable and sustainable.''