Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

2006
Political controversy over DP World's acquisition
The purchase of P&O by Dubai Ports World led to intense United States political debate over foreign ownership and port security. Critics focused on P&O terminal interests in several American ports, although the transaction did not transfer overall governmental control of those ports. DP World later agreed to sell the American terminal operations. The proposed transfer of P&O's American port interests to DP World generated political opposition in the United States. Critics raised questions about foreign ownership and port security after the deal was approved. The dispute led DP World to agree to sell the American terminal operations, separating those assets from its continuing ownership of the wider P&O brand.
Source
1987
Herald of Free Enterprise disaster
The roll-on/roll-off ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized off Zeebrugge on 6 March 1987, causing 193 deaths. The vessel carried 80 crew members and 459 passengers and was operated by Townsend Thoresen, which P&O had acquired in 1986. A public inquiry concluded that serious operational and managerial failures contributed to the disaster and described a pervasive organizational culture of negligence. Criminal charges against the company and seven employees did not produce convictions, but the proceedings influenced later thinking about corporate manslaughter and corporate negligence in English law. On 6 March 1987, the Townsend Thoresen roll-on/roll-off ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized shortly after leaving Zeebrugge, Belgium. The vessel carried 80 crew members and 459 passengers; 193 people died. P&O had acquired Townsend Thoresen in 1986. A public inquiry criticized the operator's management and safety culture, describing systemic organizational failures. Criminal charges against the company and seven employees did not result in convictions, but the proceedings influenced later thinking about corporate manslaughter and corporate negligence in English law.
Source

Political controversy over DP World's acquisition

The purchase of P&O by Dubai Ports World led to intense United States political debate over foreign ownership and port security. Critics focused on P&O terminal interests in several American ports, although the transaction did not transfer overall governmental control of those ports. DP World later agreed to sell the American terminal operations. The proposed transfer of P&O's American port interests to DP World generated political opposition in the United States. Critics raised questions about foreign ownership and port security after the deal was approved. The dispute led DP World to agree to sell the American terminal operations, separating those assets from its continuing ownership of the wider P&O brand.

Herald of Free Enterprise disaster

The roll-on/roll-off ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized off Zeebrugge on 6 March 1987, causing 193 deaths. The vessel carried 80 crew members and 459 passengers and was operated by Townsend Thoresen, which P&O had acquired in 1986. A public inquiry concluded that serious operational and managerial failures contributed to the disaster and described a pervasive organizational culture of negligence. Criminal charges against the company and seven employees did not produce convictions, but the proceedings influenced later thinking about corporate manslaughter and corporate negligence in English law. On 6 March 1987, the Townsend Thoresen roll-on/roll-off ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized shortly after leaving Zeebrugge, Belgium. The vessel carried 80 crew members and 459 passengers; 193 people died. P&O had acquired Townsend Thoresen in 1986. A public inquiry criticized the operator's management and safety culture, describing systemic organizational failures. Criminal charges against the company and seven employees did not result in convictions, but the proceedings influenced later thinking about corporate manslaughter and corporate negligence in English law.