Further fleet reshuffles saw the Free Enterprise IV return to Dover in July 1986 while her place was taken by the former Southampton-based Dragon which was renamed Ionic Ferry. The ‘Europic’ and ‘Ionic’ partnership lasted until 1992 when the stretched Dover - Zeebrugge twins Pride of Sandwich (Ex Free Enterprise VI) and Pride of Walmer (ex Free Enterprise VII) were replaced in the Dover Strait and made available for the North Channel becoming the Pride of Ailsa and Pride of Rathlin.
The remaining ‘Free Enterprise’ class vessel, the Pride of Rathlin was withdrawn from service in June 2000 after the delivery of a 23 knot new ropax ferry built in Japan. The new ship reduced conventional crossing times to just 105 minutes and accommodates 375 cars(or 107 commercial vehicles) and 410 passengers.
Capacity was certainly boosted on the shortest route to Ireland and the last ASN ship, the Europic Ferry, was downgraded to freight- only purposes and was
The Pandoro part of P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) can trace its history back to 1974. The name is a clever acronym of P AND O RO (i.e. roll on). Seeking to increase its road haulage and freight interests, P&O had purchased the well-established Coast Lines
renamed European Freighter. ‘The Ionic’ was withdrawn and sold to Greek owners.
In June 1996, P&O European Ferries acquired the revolutionary £20 million monohull fast craft, Jetliner. The 600 passenger, 160 car vessel crossed the North Channel in just one hour and offered six sailings each day. Her arrival saw the withdrawal of the Pride of Ailsa which was sold to Egypt while former Dover ro-ro vessels European Endeavour and European Trader joined the route to boost freight capacity in September 1995 and February 1996.
(who were at this time 26% share holders in North Sea Ferries) in 1971 and in the following year the Group reorganised its 120 subsidiaries which were absorbed into five new divisions.
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