The blockade at the port of Calais is also causing motorway disruption in Kent, police have said.

Fishing fleets have been stopping ships entering or leaving Calais, Boulogne, and Dunkirk, in a dispute over fishing quotas, since Tuesday.

Services to Boulogne and Dunkirk have also been called off until further notice, P&O said.

The blockade at Calais was temporarily lifted overnight but was brought back in early on Wednesday.

A statement from the P&O said: “Neither P&O Ferries nor the three other ferry companies operating out of Dover are sailing to Calais today, nor are there any services to Boulogne or Dunkirk until further notice.

“This is due to the French fishermen reinstating their blockade at 0600 this morning.”

Long-term travellers are being advised to make their way to the port and make alternative arrangements, which could include rail travel.

Day trippers are being advised to rebook their journeys.

Fishing catches

Kent Police said part of the M20 was closed again on Wednesday to cope with the disruption.

The force said Operation Stack – where lorries awaiting Channel crossings park on the coastbound M20 – was lifted overnight but then brought back in.

Police advised cross-Channel passengers to contact travel operators for further details.

On Tuesday, a P&O ferry with nearly 400 passengers on board returned to Dover after being prevented from entering Calais.

The vessel had sailed from the Kent port before industrial action affecting cross-channel ferry services began.

On Tuesday night, ferry operator P&O said it hoped to clear a backlog of 3,000 passengers by the morning.

The operator was trying to get “as many ships away as possible overnight” because of expected continued blockades on Wednesday.

French fishing unions have said they are protesting at ever tougher EU-imposed quotas, and demanding the French government take a stand on their behalf or offer more financial assistance.

The EU has said that limiting the size of fishing catches is the best way to stop stocks being wiped out
through over-fishing. (Via BBC)