P&O Stena Line
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| Successor | P&O Ferries |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Dover, UK |
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Area served
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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.
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 10 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.
On completion of the merger, P&O European Ferries volunteered 8 vessels into the newly formed group:
The first five being ROPAX ships sailing Dover to Calais, the last three being dedicated Freight only RORO vessels sailing Dover to Zeebrugge.
Stena Line volunteered 6 vessels into the newly formed group:
The first two vessels were sailing on the Newhaven to Dieppe route, the following three vessels on Dover to Calais, and the fastcraft Lynx 3 was a multipurpose HSC craft operating primarily from Newhaven, but also capable having done so in the past operating from Dover.
(The name Lynx is rooted in the company's past when operating as Stena Sealink Line - the company's first two HSC Craft were named Stena SeaLynx I and Stena SeaLynx II.)
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Wikipedia