A galley overhaul is underway on P&O Ferries’ Hull fleet, with the business turning to a firm it has worked with for nearly 60 years to keep the commercial kitchens ship-shape.
The first phase of works on Pride of Hull – one of Europe’s largest vessels of its class – has been completed by Bournemouth-based Southern Contracts, with engineers now onboard sister vessel Pride of Rotterdam.
Sailing with the vessel as she crosses the North Sea, all plumbing and dishwashing facilities have been replaced, with a second phase to see the ‘hot’ work – replacement of grills, ovens and fridges and installation of the hot serveries – before training is provided.
Rachael Crepin, procurement manager at P&O, said: “We are proud to have such a strong relationship with Southern Contracts and have dealt with them for over 57 years. They are on our emergency speed dial for any urgent maintenance issues and the quality of their products, work, training and customer service are exemplary.
“We know we are always in safe hands with Southern Contracts and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
Both vessels are 215 metres long and feature several bars, restaurants, a casino, shops, a cinema and a show lounge spread across the 12 decks to entertain passengers on the Hull to Rotterdam route. They both feature 546 cabins, providing capacity to accommodate 1,360 passengers, with a lane capacity of 3,300 metres providing space for 250 cars and 400 freight vehicles.
The contract comes at a time with reduced demand due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Adam Elphinstone, managing director of Boscombe-based Southern Contracts said: “We are always delighted to work closely with P&O and this latest refurbishment is a great opportunity for us.
“For the installations we sail with the vessels, deliver in Hull and our engineers work as it heads to the Netherlands. With services currently only carrying freight it is a good time to do it. “
The business counts the British Royal Navy as a key client.
The refurbishment comes just weeks after P&O pulled the Hull to Zeebrugge passenger service, with Rotterdam now promoted as offering good road links to Belgium.
The Pride of York that served the route has now been put on the market with Global Ferry & Cruise Shipbrokers of Hamburg, Germany.
Built in 1987 she is a 179m vessel, with 268 cabins across three decks. Her 2,600 metre lane capacity can welcome 850 cars.
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