It's calm for our ferries crossing to Europe

NEW Year’s Day saw plain sailing for cross-Channel and Irish Sea ferries as boats came and went without a hitch.

- Giles Sheldrick

Doomsayers had predicted the historic occasion would spark mayhem at ports.

But there were no customs flashpoints as vehicles cleared checkpoints for first time under new border rules.

P&O Ferries’ The Pride of Kent sailed from Dover and docked at Calais at 9.15 am. Of the 36 lorries that disembarked, only three were stopped for checks.

New paperwork is now required for freight travelling to the EU and Northern Ireland.

But Lord Edward Llewellyn, Britain’s ambassador to France, said things were “running smoothly” as he visited Port of Calais and Eurotunnel’s terminal.

Dover, Britain’s busiest port, was quieter than usual but a heavy police presence was present at the docks entrance to check documents.