"English Channel freight volumes in first half of year were highest ever", says P&O Ferries.

P&O FERRIES carried more freight across the English Channel in the first six months of 2017 than in any first half of the year in its modern history.

The ferry and logistics company's six ships on the Dover-Calais route transported 710,813 lorries between January and June. This figure represents a 10.4 per cent increase on 2016, which was the previous best ever year.

Janette Bell, Managing Director of P&O Ferries, said: "These record volumes illustrate the continuing resilience of the British economy and the vital importance of reliable and punctual cross-Channel transport to thousands of business in Britain and Europe."

"We expect growing populations on both sides of the English Channel to continue to drive higher freight volumes in the years ahead and our door-to-door service is ideally suited to the requirements of exporters across the continent of Europe."

P&O Ferries' six ships on the English Channel include the 47,000 ton sister vessels Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France, which have twice the capacity of an ordinary ferry with room for 160 HGV's and 180 vans.