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Ferry services disrupted by Calais port blockade Ferry services resume after Calais port blockade
(35 minutes later)
Passengers are facing overnight delays at the Port of Calais following a fresh protest by former workers of dissolved ferry company MyFerryLink. Ferry services have resumed at the Port of Calais following a fresh protest by former workers of dissolved ferry company MyFerryLink.
Protesters blockaded the port with lifeboats, stopping ships from sailing. Earlier passengers faced delays as protesters blockaded the port with lifeboats, stopping ships from sailing.
Ferry firm DFDS tweeted it expected the blockade to last until 06:00 on Monday, but that alternative services were operating via Dunkirk. Ferry operator P&O tweeted that the port was now open again but its services were subject to delays
P&O Ferries said negotiations were going on "to resolve the situation as soon as possible". DFDS Seaways had said it expected the blockade to last until 06:00 on Monday, and was operating services via Dunkirk.
P&O told waiting Bank Holiday travellers: "We regret to inform you that currently there are no movements permitted in or out of the port for any ferries. P&O had told waiting Bank Holiday travellers: "We regret to inform you that currently there are no movements permitted in or out of the port for any ferries.
"Protesting crew from the recently dissolved My Ferry Link has blocked the Port entrance. "Protesting crew from the recently dissolved My Ferry Link has blocked the port entrance.
"This means our ferries cannot leave or enter for the time being. We have no information how long this will last.""This means our ferries cannot leave or enter for the time being. We have no information how long this will last."
DFDS Seaways said its Malo Seaways ship was waiting for permission to enter the Port of Calais.DFDS Seaways said its Malo Seaways ship was waiting for permission to enter the Port of Calais.
The company said it was running to Dunkirk with an extra sailing, and advised those booked with Calais departures to head to Dunkirk.The company said it was running to Dunkirk with an extra sailing, and advised those booked with Calais departures to head to Dunkirk.
'Standing still''Standing still'
Nicholas Bernier, a passenger on a ferry heading to France, told the BBC the service he was travelling on was stuck about two miles from Calais.Nicholas Bernier, a passenger on a ferry heading to France, told the BBC the service he was travelling on was stuck about two miles from Calais.
"I'm roughly about two miles from the Port of Calais. We've got about three ferries standing still in front of us and what we were told is that the port is blocked by two lifeboats.""I'm roughly about two miles from the Port of Calais. We've got about three ferries standing still in front of us and what we were told is that the port is blocked by two lifeboats."
Richard Hill, who is in Calais, said his ferry was unable to leave the port, adding: "Authorities are saying to the captain that they cannot sail past the lifeboats. We are stuck on the ferry along with 2,000 others, luckily we have a seat. Richard Hill, in Calais, said his ferry was unable to leave the port, adding: "Authorities are saying to the captain that they cannot sail past the lifeboats. We are stuck on the ferry along with 2,000 others, luckily we have a seat.
"The seating is very limited now and people are starting to get weary.""The seating is very limited now and people are starting to get weary."
A Port of Dover spokesman said: "We will continue to monitor the situation closely in liaison with our ferry partners and the Port of Calais in order to resume normal operations as soon as possible."A Port of Dover spokesman said: "We will continue to monitor the situation closely in liaison with our ferry partners and the Port of Calais in order to resume normal operations as soon as possible."
Natacha Bouchart, Mayor of Calais, tweeted her "regret" that the port has been closed and requested firm action was taken.Natacha Bouchart, Mayor of Calais, tweeted her "regret" that the port has been closed and requested firm action was taken.
Eurotunnel, which operates and manages the Channel Tunnel, said it was only accepting passengers with pre-booked tickets on rail services.Eurotunnel, which operates and manages the Channel Tunnel, said it was only accepting passengers with pre-booked tickets on rail services.
It tweeted: "We are unable to sell tickets to any non reserved customers from Calais tonight." It tweeted: "We are unable to sell tickets to any non-reserved customers from Calais tonight."
Employees from MyFerryLink have held previous protests, including last month when delays were caused after tyres were set alight near a main road.Employees from MyFerryLink have held previous protests, including last month when delays were caused after tyres were set alight near a main road.
The firm ceased ferry operations as of 1 July 2015.The firm ceased ferry operations as of 1 July 2015.
It came after Eurotunnel announced in May this year that it was ending its partnership with cross-Channel ferry service, MyFerryLink.It came after Eurotunnel announced in May this year that it was ending its partnership with cross-Channel ferry service, MyFerryLink.
In January, Eurotunnel was told it must cease its MyFerryLink cross Channel service following a ruling by the Competition Appeal Tribunal. In January, Eurotunnel was told it must cease the service following a ruling by the Competition Appeal Tribunal.