P&O Ferries’ second new €180 million ship, Spirit of France, has arrived at Dover for the first following a four-day delivery voyage from her construction shipyard at Rauma, Finland.

The ship arrived at the port at 11:00 and will now start final preparations for entry into service on the Dover – Calais route from Thursday February 9th.

She joins her sister ship, Spirit of Britain, on the service.

The combined cost of €360 million for the two ships represents the largest investment ever made by P&O Ferries.

At 47,500 gross tons these ships are the largest ever constructed for operation on the Dover Strait, each ship capable of carrying 160 articulated lorries which is twice the freight capacity of the vessels they are replacing.

In addition they can also carry up to 250 cars, caravans and motorhomes on a separate vehicle deck.

Their passenger accommodation with capacity for 2,000 offers unrivalled levels of comfort and convenience including luxuriously appointed lounges, bars and restaurants plus a separate and extensive rest and relaxation facility for freight drivers complete with its own restaurant, showers, DVD seat back entertainment and a private outside deck.