P&O: Backlog of freight building up after ferries suspended

Hauliers in Northern Ireland are running at 50% capacity due to the P&O crisis, the industry body has said.

John Martin, from the Road Haulage Association, warned there were currently "two boat-loads of vehicles" sitting in Cairnryan in Scotland waiting for a ferry to Larne.

Last week, P&O Ferries fired about 800 of its workers before suspending its services.

The move has sparked concerns about food supplies.

Up to 50 workers in Northern Ireland will be directly impacted by the mass sacking.

From Tuesday, Stena Line is operating two extra ferry services between Scotland and Northern Ireland to help alleviate the situation.

Speaking on BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Martin says the situation is creating a backlog.

"I would say some of the hauliers have found ways around issues," Mr Martin said.

"Latest feedback from the sector was that they are running roughly 50% behind schedule."

While Mr Martin welcomed Stena Line's intervention, he said it would not be enough to keep operations running as normal.

"This is only one ferry that will be doing two sailings per day," he said.

"Previously P&O had four sailings per day, so it's only half of what we need for this essential service.

"If you're losing 50% of that particular route this will have an impact on supermarkets and traders."

Paul Grant, Stena Line's Trade Director Irish Sea, said on Tuesday evening that the first sailings of its extra ferry services between Scotland and Northern Ireland were "heavily booked".

"We managed to cope with most of the freight over the weekend, we have got seven ships operating already in Belfast this will be an eighth ship," he added.

"I think with the capacity we have in place we will be able to look after most customers.

"There might be slight delays in terms of timing, because we only have certain capacity at certain times, but I think generally most of the freight and certainly all of the people travelling back and forth will be able to be accommodated."

Mr Grant was also asked if the company would keep the increased level of service going if there was continued demand.

"We will have to make that assessment whenever and how the market changes," he said.

"We have got 12 ships operating right across the Irish Sea from Belfast, Dublin and Rosslare and even in to France, so we will look at our fleet, we will move the ships according to demand, but I think the good thing from our perspective is that we have the flexibility and the capability of responding to the market."

Victor Chestnutt, president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, said "things have been challenging" for the agri-food sector.

"People are scraping though but there's a backlog starting to build," Mr Chestnutt said.

"Northern Ireland provides food for 10m people, mostly in the UK so that freight has to leave Northern Ireland.

"This is a bigger challenge."

On the issue of livestock, Mr Chestnutt says Larne is where the inspection port facilities are based.

"We need that route back up and running as soon as possible," he said.

"But there is no indication of when it will get back to normal.

"It's very concerning, as each day goes by it gets worse."

A protest was held at Larne port on Friday against the mass sacking of staff, while other demonstrations were held in England.

Last week, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons had said services would not resume at Larne for at least another week.

P&O has said its decision to fire workers was to secure the future viability of the business.

It explained that required "swift and significant changes now".

On Sunday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said P&O's move had been "awful" and "wrong" and the government would examine the legality of its actions.