North Sea Ferries

Background

North Sea Ferries formed in 1965 by a consortium of six European concerns (two British, two German and two Dutch) to operate a ferry service between Hull and Rotterdam Europoort.[1] The original consortium members were Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company (at that time part of Coast Lines), General Steam Navigation Company (majority owned by P&O), Argo Reederei Richard Adler & Söhne, A. Kirsten, Koninklijke Nederlandse Stoomboot-Maatschappij and Phs. van Ommeren.[2]

Early Years

Even before commencement of the Hull-Rotterdam service, North Sea Ferries were already exploring the potential for new routes between Britain and Europe.[3] The Rotterdam service commenced operations in December 1965.[1]

The remains of Coast Lines was acquired by P&O in 1971[4] and combined with the operations of General Steam Navigation to form the basis of P&O Ferries,[5] with P&O therefore now directly holding an increased stake in the North Sea Ferries joint venture. A. Kirsten were declared bankrupt in October 1975.[6]

Takeover

By 1980, Van Ommeren and Argo Reederei were reported as having little interest in North Sea Ferries and a proposal was made for their remaining minority stakes to be sold to the other two remaining partners in the consortium[7] (KNSM having merged with Nedlloyd). Thus, North Sea Ferries became jointly owned by Nedlloyd and P&O.[8][1]

In 1987, the Princess Margaret Ferry Terminal was built under the operation of North Sea Ferries. The building is now under the ownership of Associated British Ports and is operated by P&O Ferries.

Final Years

North Sea Ferries operated until 1996, when Nedlloyd's share of the venture was purchased by P&O giving them sole ownership.[9] After this point operations were merged into P&O as P&O North Sea Ferries as part of the reorganisation of P&O Ferries arising from the merger of its Dover Straits services with those of Stena Line.[10] P&O North Sea Ferries was then merged with P&O Ferries in 2003.[11][12]