Dover-Calais ferries halted after French strikes

The cost of cancellation of the ferry contracts is estimated at £50 million to the taxpayer. (Picture: REUTERS)

Ferries between Dover and Calais have been suspended for 24 hours after staff at the French port went on strike.

The Port of Calais closed at 8am on Thursday, meaning up to 50 crossings that ferry operators DFDS and P&O Ferries usually run to and from Dover each day were halted.

DFDS has switched one of its Calais ships to the Dover-Dunkirk route to provide extra capacity.

Freight vehicles and passengers due to travel between Dover and Calais with DFDS on Thursday are being shipped on the next available Dover-Dunkirk sailing instead.

Following a 24-hour notice of strike from the harbor master's office, from Thursday 24 September 2020 at 8:00 a.m., very strong disruptions are expected at the port of Calais

For more information, contact your ferry company pic.twitter.com/O77EFXZXG1

— Port de Calais (@calaisport)

September 24, 2020

The Port of Dover said in a statement: “We will continue to monitor the situation closely in liaison with our ferry partners and the Port of Calais.

“Please note that there may be delays to services when the Port of Calais reopens and services resume to normal.”

The Port of Calais said: "Following a 24-hour notice of strike from the harbor master's office, from Thursday 24 September 2020 at 8:00 a.m., very strong disruptions are expected at the port of Calais."

Passengers who are affected by the disruption are asked to get in touch with the company running their ferry.