Streamlined P&O border process sees “significant uptake” with schools

The ferry operator is investing resources in the MOANA system – a streamlined border process developed in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Department for Education (DfE).

The system allows for quicker border checks for school groups and their travel organisers when passenger details are submitted to P&O Ferries at least 72 hours before travel. 

Louisa Bell, passenger managing director at P&O Ferries said: “We know how important reliability and peace of mind are for schools and their operators. That’s why we’re putting resource behind this enhanced border process – because it gives organisers confidence and allows them to deliver a stress-free experience for their customers. While it involves extra administration, the benefits for schools are clear: less worry, fewer delays, and more time focused on the trip itself.”

The company said that November and December saw a strong uptake in the streamlined process, with 100% of school group bookings using the fast-track process on nine separate dates.

On P&O’s busiest day during the Christmas period, 85.71% of school groups opted to use the service.

A spokesperson for the School Travel Forum said: “We greatly appreciate the support that P&O are providing to the educational visits sector.

“By collaborating with Government and operators to ensure the success of the MOANA process, they have significantly helped schools travel through Dover Port with minimal frustration and delay.”

The ferry operator offers routes to and from Calais and Rotterdam travelling via the ports of Dover and Hull respectively. A regular service also runs between Cairnryan in Scotland and Larne, Northern Ireland.

Streamlined border process

School groups enjoy quicker border checks if organisers submit passenger details to P&O Ferries at least 72 hours before travel. This allows French authorities to pre-approve the information, reducing checks at Dover and ensuring smoother coach journeys.

Visa nationals living in the UK also benefit from the MOANA system as it removes the need for an EU visa for school trips to France.

The MOANA system was introduced in partnership with the Department for Transport and Department for Education to address post-Brexit border complexities for school groups.