P&O Stena Line

P&O Stena Line
P&O Stena Lne
Successor P&O Ferries
Founded 1998
Defunct 2002
Headquarters Dover, UK
Area served England, France
Services Passenger transportation, Freight transportation
Parent 60% P&O Ferries / 40% Stena Line

P&O Stena Line was formed in 1998 after the merger of P&O European Ferries (Dover) Ltd and the Dover and Newhaven operations of Stena Line.

Contents

History

The idea for a joint service was initially put forward in July 1996 and in October of the same year signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the merger of their ferry interests on the Short Sea routes. The go ahead was given to the merger towards the end of 1997 by UK, French and EU authorities and the new company began on the 10th March 1998 with joint livery being officially unveiled the day before. Ownership of the new company was 60/40 in favour of P&O with all shore and sea management performed by P&O. Voting rights between the two companies was 50/50.

Both P&O and Stena also put various building assets into the merger. An example of which was P&O Stena Lines "Central Preparation" kitchens in the western docks, and their training centre (both ex. British Rail buildings). Channel House, P&O's Dover headquarters were leased from P&O Corporate in London to P&O Stena Line.

The Newhaven-Dieppe service was closed in early 1999. P&O Stena was replaced on the route by Transmanche Ferries and Hoverspeed.

In April 2002 P&O announced its intention to buy out the 40% stake in P&O Stena Line owned by Stena and this was completed by August. P&O Stena Line then became part of P&O Ferries.

Ships

On completion of the merger, P&O European Ferries volunteered 8 vessels into the newly formed group:

  • Pride of Bruges
  • Pride of Burgundy
  • Pride of Calais
  • Pride of Dover
  • Pride of Kent
  • RORO ships sailing Dover to Calais, the last three being dedicated Freight only ROPAX vessels sailing Dover to Zeebrugge.

    Stena Line volunteered 6 vessels into the newly formed group:

    • edit] Brands

      P&O Stena introduced the Brand World concept now found on many of the current P&O Ferries fleet. Finnegan Consultancy Group developed and implemented the original Brand World strategy which brought about a standard image across the fleet.

      The brands were:-

      • Club Class
      Executive quiet lounge, not previously found on the former Stena Line vessels.
      • Langan's Brasserie
      Replaced the waiter service restaurants on the Dover fleet.
      • Harbour Coffee Company
      Café
      • NYC Deli
      Sandwich Outlet
      • First Base Burgers
      Fast Food Outlet/Burger Bar
      • International Food Court
      Self-service restaurant.
      • Silverstones Bar
      A Formula 1 based Sports Bar and Lounge. Features large scale models of F1 cars and general F1 memorabilia from Silverstone Circuit.
      • Horizon Lounge
      Lounge area normally with a bar or Harbour Coffee Company outlet.
      • Coca Cola Megadrome
      Video games arcade

      As of 2007, P&O Ferries have begun removing some of their familiar Brand world theming throughout their fleet. The three main affected brands are:

      • Silverstones Bar has been replaced with "the bar"
      • Horizons Lounge, now known as "the family lounge"
      • Harbour Coffee Company has been changed to "the café"

      Former P&O Stena operations today

      The Dover-Calais service has essentially returned to its pre-merger P&O European Ferries form with no former Stena Line ships remaining. Ships that were to remain in the P&O Ferries fleet either returned to their original "Pride of" names (except PO Canterbury and PO Kent) or gained the prefix. European Pathway and European Highway were converted into multi-purpose vessels and became Pride of Canterbury and Pride of Kent respectively replacing PO Canterbury and PO Kent which after the end of P&O Stena Line lost the '&' and 'SL' from their names. Pride of Provence and Pride of Aquitaine were later withdrawn as part of the review of P&O Ferries operations announced in September 2004.

      The Newhaven-Dieppe service was run by Transmanche Ferries but the service has been put out to tender in early 2007 as part of the French operators parent company plan. The successful bid was submitted by Paris based Louis Drefus (LD) Lines who also operate the Portsmouth - Le Havre service.

      Use of the P&O Stena Logo today

      The POSL logo still lives on today, although across the other side of the globe from the English Channel, in Singapore. Austen Maritime Services is purportedly the last joint P&O/Stena operation, and although nothing to do with the Ferries operations, retains the logo.

      See also

      External links