British ferry operator P&O is suspending its services with immediate effect and will make 'an important announcement' later. Unions fear job losses after crews say they will return to port, but company denies going into liquidation. According to British media, P&O would like to lay off all its British staff and replace them with cheaper temporary workers. Leading British ferry operator P&O Ferries has today halted all sailings and told crews to return to port and await an "important announcement".

ITV News has reported that all sailing personnel have been made redundant with immediate effect. The company will use an agency to keep their ferries running and current staff will be able to apply for work at the agency, reports suggest. P&O could not be reached for comment, but a message to staff - posted to social media by Hull's Labor MP Karl Turner - said it "would make an important announcement today that, with the support of our shareholder DP World, will make the long-term from P&O Ferries in due course”.

P&O apologized to customers on Twitter, saying: “Unfortunately, P&O Ferries services will not be able to operate for the next few hours. Our port teams will guide you and the trip will be arranged through an alternative operator.” P&O did not respond to requests for comment, but a representative for the company previously told the Independent it was not involved in liquidation.

P&O is the largest ferry operator on the Dover-Calais crossing, the main sea link from Great Britain and Europe, and also operates from Hull to Rotterdam, Liverpool to Dublin and Cairnryan in Scotland to Larne. Asked by Labor in the Commons, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was "concerned" by the news.