P&O Dover Services - Ferry Postcards

This page is devoted to postcards of the Dover operations of P&O Ferries, following the split with Stena Line in August 2002. An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete postcard history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table are official postcards of the fleet in chronological order.
In April 2002, P&O announced its intention to buy out the 40% stake in P&O Stena Line owned by Stena. P&O also indicated that the Dover-Zeebrugge service would cease. The buy-out occurred in August 2002, and the Stena markings were painted out. Two of the three Dover-Zeebrugge freighters were rebuilt as the multi-purpose ferries Pride of Canterbury and Pride of Kent carrying 2000 passengers, whilst European Seaway has been retained as a freight ferry on the Dover-Calais route. For the 2003 season, the passenger ships received the new P&O livery, which I consider a vast improvement. I think that Pride of Dover and Pride of Calais look better than at any period in their careers.
Ferries on this Page:-
European Endeavour - (P&O Ferries: 2007- ) - ex-Midnight Merchant
European Highway - (P&O Ferries: 2002) - later Pride of Kent
European Pathway - (P&O Ferries: 2002) - later Pride of Canterbury
European Seaway - (P&O Ferries: 2002- ) PO Canterbury - (P&O Ferries: 2002-2003)
PO Kent - (P&O Ferries: 2002-2003)
Pride of Aquitaine - (P&O Ferries: 2002-2005)
Pride of Burgundy - (P&O Ferries: 2002- )
Pride of Calais - (P&O Ferries: 2002- )
Pride of Canterbury - (P&O Ferries: 2003- ) - ex-European Pathway
Pride of Dover - (P&O Ferries: 2002- )
Pride of Kent - (P&O Ferries: 2003- ) - ex-European Highway Pride of Provence - (P&O Ferries: 2002-2004) Spirit of Britain - (P&O Ferries 2011- ) Spirit of France - (P&O Ferries 2012- )
Associated Pages:-
P&O Stena Line
P&O Ferries
SeaFrance
Townsend Thoresen
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page

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powered by FreeFind Table of Ship Histories Name Other names Built European Endeavour Midnight Merchant, El Greco 2000 European Highway Pride of Kent (2) 1992 European Pathway Pride of Canterbury (2) 1991 Pride of Aquitaine Prins Filip, Stena Royal, POSL Aquitaine, Norman Spirit 1991 PO Canterbury Scandinavia, Tzarevetz, Fantasia, Stena Fantasia, etc 1980 Pride of Canterbury (2) European Pathway 2003 Pride of Kent (2) European Highway 2003 Spirit of Britain 2011 Spirit of France 2012 P&O Dover Fleet List

PO Kent (P&O: 2002-2003) 20446 gross tons - 1825 passengers - 460 cars - 85 trucks
Built for European Ferries as Dover-Calais passenger vessel Spirit of Free Enterprise in 1980, and initially the sister of POSL Picardy. Renamed Pride of Kent in 1987, and lengthened in 1992 to match the capacity of Pride of Calais/Dover. Transferred to P&O Stena Line in 1998. Renamed POSL Kent in 1999. Transferred to P&O Ferries in 2002, and renamed PO Kent. Replaced by Pride of Kent (ex-European Pathway) and put up for sale in May 2003. She did not receive new P&O 2003 livery, and was sold to GA Ferries as the Anthi Marina. Photo of PO Kent after return to P&O Ferries ownership. Photo: © Frank Lose. Photo of PO Kent after return to P&O Ferries ownership. Photo: © Frank Lose. PO Kent (left) and Pride of Kent together on the Eastern Arm at Dover. Photo: ©Mike Willis PO Canterbury (P&O: 2002-2003) 25122 gross tons - 1800 passengers - 550 cars - 85 trucks
Built in 1980 as commercial ferry Scandinavia. After various changes of owner and name, sold to Sealink in 1988 and renamed Fiesta. Rebuilt in 1990 as Dover-Calais passenger vessel Fantasia. Renamed Stena Fantasia later in 1990. Transferred to P&O Stena Line in 1998 and known as Fantasia. Renamed POSL Canterbury in 1999. Transferred to P&O Ferries in August 2002, and renamed PO Canterbury. Replaced by "new" Pride of Canterbury (ex-European Highway) in June 2003. She did not receive new P&O 2003 livery, and was sold to GA Ferries as the Alkmini A (1). In 2004, Alkmini A (1) was sold on to Polferries as the Wawel, replacing the Silesia. Complete history of PO Canterbury POSL Canterbury following removal of Stena flag/name. Photo: © Frank Lose. PO Canterbury following removal of red hull riband. Photo: © Frank Lose. Pride of Provence (P&O: 2002-2004) 28559 gross tons - 2036 passengers - 550 cars - 85 trucks
Built in 1983 in Dunkerque as Stena Line's Stena Jutlandica for Frederikshavn-Gothenburg service. Transferred to Dover-Calais in 1996 as Stena Empereur. Transferred to P&O Stena Line in 1998 and known as Empereur. Renamed POSL Provence later in 1998. Transferred to P&O Ferries in August 2002 and renamed Pride of Provence. In 2004, Pride of Provence was sold to GA Ferries as their Alkmini A (2), replacing Almini A (1), ex-PO Canterbury, which had been sold to Polferries. Her last day in Dover-Calais service was on 19th December 2004. P&O company postcard of Pride of Provence. Chantry Classics postcard CC/S336 of Pride of Provence. Photograph: © Ian Boyle, Calais, 21st June 2003. Pride of Provence leaving Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Provence approaching Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride Of Dover (P&O: 2002- ) 26433 gross tons - 2290 passengers - 650 cars - 100 trucks
Built for European Ferries as Dover-Calais passenger vessel Pride of Dover in 1987. Transferred to P&O Stena Line in 1998. Renamed POSL Dover in 1999. Transferred to P&O in August 2002, and received new P&O livery for the 2003 season. Name reverted to Pride of Dover. P&O company postcard of Pride of Dover. Chantry Classics postcard CC/S331 of Pride of Dover. Photograph: © Ian Boyle, Calais, 21st June 2003. Pride of Dover off Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Photo: © 2003 Copyright Ian Boyle. Photo: © 2003 Copyright Ian Boyle. Photo: © 2003 Copyright Ian Boyle. Pride of Calais (P&O: 2002- ) 26433 gross tons - 2290 passengers - 650 cars - 100 trucks
Built for European Ferries as Dover-Calais passenger vessel Pride of Calais in 1987. Transferred to P&O Stena Line in 1998. Renamed POSL Calais in 1999. Transferred back to P&O in August 2002, renamed Pride of Calais. Received new P&O livery for 2003 season. P&O company postcard of Pride of Calais. Chantry Classics postcard CC/S328 of Pride of Calais.Photograph: © Ian Boyle, Calais, 21st June 2003. Pride of Calais arriving at Dover on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Calais arriving at Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Calais leaving Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Calais at Dover on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Calais arriving at Dover on 7th May 2005 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Aquitaine (P&O: 2002-2005)
28838 gross tons - 2000 passengers - 600 cars - 100 trucks

Built as Prins Filip for the RTM Dover-Oostende service in 1991, although did not enter service until 1992. Withdrawn 1997 when RTM ceased operations. Bought by a Stena Group company in 1998, and chartered to P&O Stena Line as Stena Royal for freight operations between Dover and Zeebrugge. Charter extended and renamed POSL Aquitaine. In 1999 began to carry passengers again on the Dover-Calais route. Transferred to P&O in August 2002 and renamed Pride of Aquitaine. Received new P&O livery for 2003 season. Chartered by P&O from Stena Line until 2005, she was retired early in May 2005.
Complete history of Pride of Aquitaine P&O company postcard of Pride of Aquitaine. Chantry Classics postcard CC/S325 of Pride of Aquitaine.Photograph: © Ian Boyle, Calais, 21st June 2003 Pride of Aquitaine leaving Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Aquitaine arriving at Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle European Seaway (P&O: 2002- ) 22986grt - 200 passengers - 120 lorries
The first of three ro-ro ferries built for Dover-Zeebrugge service. A fourth ship was completed as passenger ferry Pride of Burgundy. P&O Stena Line announced the closure of the Dover-Zeebrugge service in early 2002. The route closed in December 2002, by which time ownership had reverted to P&O Ferries. Sisterships European Highway and European Pathway were rebuilt as passenger ferries, but European Seaway has been retained as a freight ferry for Dover-Calais service carrying hazardous cargoes. In 2004, Pride of Burgundy ran as a freight-only ship and European Seaway was laid up in the River Fal. She returned to Dover on 31st December following the sale of Pride of Provence and the reactivation of the passenger accommodation on Pride of Burgundy. Chantry Classics postcard CC/S332 of European Seaway. Photograph: © Ian Boyle, Calais, 21st June 2003. European Seaway leaving Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle European Seaway arriving at Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle European Seaway leaving Dover on 7th May 2005 Photo: �2005 Ian Boyle European Pathway (P&O: 2002) Pride of Canterbury (P&O: 2003- ) European Pathway: 22986grt - 200 passengers - 120 lorries
One of three ro-ro ferries built for Dover-Zeebrugge service. A fourth ship was completed as passenger ferry Pride of Burgundy. P&O Stena Line announced the closure of the Dover-Zeebrugge service in early 2002. The route closed in December 2002, by which time ownership had reverted to P&O Ferries. Sisterships European Highway and European Pathway were then rebuilt as passenger ferries, with European Pathway returning to service in 10th May 2003 as Pride of Canterbury.
Complete history of European Pathway & Pride of Canterbury European Pathway at Bremerhaven being rebuilt Photo: © Mike Willis P&O company postcard of Pride of Canterbury. Chantry Classics postcard CC/S329 of Pride of Canterbury. Photograph: © Ian Boyle, Calais, 21st June 2003. Pride of Canterbury arriving at Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Canterbury berthed at Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Canterbury leaving Dover via the normal East entrance on 7th May 2005 Photo: �2005 Ian Boyle Pride of Canterbury (right) at Dover on 7th May 2005 Photo: �2005 Ian Boyle Pride of Canterbury leaving Dover via the West entrance on 7th May 2005 Photo: �2005 Ian Boyle European Highway (P&O: 2002) Pride of Kent (2) (P&O: 2003- ) European Highway: 22986grt - 200 passengers - 120 lorries
One of three ro-ro ferries built for Dover-Zeebrugge service. A fourth ship was completed as passenger ferry Pride of Burgundy. P&O Stena Line announced the closure of the Dover-Zeebrugge service in early 2002. The route closed in December 2002, by which time ownership had reverted to P&O Ferries. Sisterships European Highway and European Pathway were then rebuilt as passenger ferries, with European Highway returning to service in June 2003 as Pride of Kent (2). European Highway at Bremerhaven being rebuilt. Photo: ©Mike Willis P&O company postcard of Pride of Kent. Pride of Kent leaving Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle Photograph of Pride of Kent at Dover on 21st May 2005. Photo: © 2005 Copyright Ian Boyle Photograph of Pride of Kent at Dover on 21st May 2005. Photo: © 2005 Copyright Ian Boyle Pride of Burgundy (P&O: 2002- ) 28138 gross tons - 1420 passengers - 600 cars -120 trucks
Designed for P&O European Ferries as fourth Dover-Zeebrugge freight ferry European Causeway, but modified before delivery as Dover-Calais passenger vessel Pride of Burgundy in 1993. Transferred to P&O Stena Line in 1998. Renamed POSL Burgundy in 1999. Transferred back to P&O in August 2002, and reverted to original name Pride of Burgundy. Received new P&O livery for 2003 season. P&O company postcard of Pride of Burgundy. Chantry Classics postcard CC/S327 of Pride of Burgundy. Photograph: © Ian Boyle, Calais, 21st June 2003. Pride of Burgundy at Dover on 21st June 2003. Photo: © 2003 Ian Boyle Pride of Burgundy leaving Calais on 21st June 2003 Photo: �2003 Ian Boyle European Endeavour (P&O Ferries: 2007- ) European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Dover Photo: © Ian Boyle, Dover, 30th January 2008 Click to open larger image in new window European Endeavour at Calais, 14th August 2008 Photo: © 2008 William Mayes, Dover Click to open larger image in new window Spirit of Britain The Spirit of Britain is the first new ferry built for the route since the split of P&O-Stena Line. Spirit of Britain and sister Spirit of France were built by STX Europe at their Rauma yard in Finland. They are 49000grt, 212m long and carry 1750 passengers, 194 cars and 180 trucks. Spirit of Britain entered service on 21st January 2011, replacing Pride of Dover, and Spirit of France was due follow in September 2011, but she was delayed until February 2012. More images of Spirit of Britain Official STX builders' postcard of Spirit of Britain Official P&O advertising postcard of Spirit of Britain Spirit of Britain leaving Dover at 09:20 on the 3rd February 2011 Photo: �2011 Ian Boyle Spirit of Britain arriving at Dover at 13:00 on the 3rd February 2011 Photo: �2011 Ian Boyle Spirit of France Spirit of France is the sister to Spirit of Britain Spirit of Britain and sister Spirit of France were built by STX Europe at their Rauma yard in Finland. They are 49000grt, 212m long and carry 1750 passengers, 194 cars and 180 trucks. Spirit of Britain entered service on 21st January 2011, replacing Pride of Dover, and Spirit of France was due to follow in September 2011, intended to replace Pride of Calais. Her entry into service was delayed by vibration problems and she did not arrive at Dover until 28th January 2012, entering service in early February. More images of Spirit of France Spirit of France at Dover, dressed overall Photo: � Ian Boyle, 2nd February 2012 Spirit of France moving to the Eastern docks as Spirit of Britain leaves for Calais Photo: � Ian Boyle, 2nd February 2012 P&O Ferries - P&O Stena Line - SeaFrance - Townsend Thoresen Ferry Postcards - Cruise Ship Postcards - Ocean Liner Postcards Top of Page - Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards - Home Page �1999-2010 Copyright Ian Boyle/Simplon Postcards (all pages on web site) All Rights Reserved Free Web Counter Times viewed since 12/05/2008:

Name	Other names	Built
European Endeavour	Midnight Merchant, El Greco	2000
European Highway	Pride of Kent (2)	1992
European Pathway	Pride of Canterbury (2)	1991
Pride of Aquitaine	Prins Filip, Stena Royal, POSL Aquitaine, Norman Spirit	1991
PO Canterbury	Scandinavia, Tzarevetz, Fantasia, Stena Fantasia, etc	1980
Pride of Canterbury (2)	European Pathway	2003
Pride of Kent (2)	European Highway	2003
Spirit of Britain		2011
Spirit of France		2012