P&O Ferries Liverpool stalemate broken? ‘Norbay’ and ‘Norbank’ set to sail tonight

By: Steven Tarbox
Date:
P&O Ferries NORBANK seen arriving in Dublin at the end of September 2018. Copyright © Robbie Cox.
P&O Ferries NORBANK seen arriving in Dublin at the end of September 2018. Copyright © Robbie Cox.

It appears that an agreement between Peel Ports and P&O Ferries may have been reached allowing the ferry operator to resume sailings between Dublin and Liverpool. According to Dublin Port vessel movements, both P&O Ferries NORBAY and NORBANK will sail tonight. NORBAY was detained by Liverpool Port owner Peel Ports on Thursday over a payment dispute. This effectively temporarily closed the P&O route between Liverpool and Dublin. Both ships are expected to sail at around 21:00. NORBAY is expected to arrive in Dublin at around 05:30 tomorrow morning.

A screenshot from Dublin Port's vessel booking system showing the expected departure of P&O Ferries' Norbank and arrival of Norbay tomorrow.
A screenshot from Dublin Port’s vessel booking system showing the expected departure of P&O Ferries’ Norbank and arrival of Norbay tomorrow.

Berthing trial

As previously reported, NORBANK undertook a berthing trial in the North Wales port of Mostyn yesterday. P&O had previously used Mostyn as an alternative to Liverpool though no P&O vessel had visited the port since 2004. The company terminated its service there due to issues with dredging the channel into the tidal port. This had caused problems with timekeeping. With both NORBAY and NORBANK expected to sail tonight, it appears that an agreement which will allow sailings to restart has been made.

P&O Ferries NORBANK trialling the berth at Mostyn, North Wales, on the morning of 19.04.20. Hans Smits
P&O Ferries NORBANK trialling the berth at Mostyn, North Wales, on the morning of 19.04.20. Hans Smits

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