19 January 2009

Ferry line brings forward new Dover services

Ferry operator LD Lines has brought forward by six months to opening of a new service between Dover and Boulogne.

The new cross channel route is to start on February 12 rather than July 1 following the demise of SpeedFerries which previously operated the route.

A conventional freight and passenger ferry will operate on the route twice a day with a crossing time of one hour and 45 minutes.

The ship will utilise the existing berth previously used by defunct fast ferry operator SpeedFerries in Boulogne.

Sailing frequency between Dover and Boulogne will increase from two to six return daily sailings from July 1 when a second vessel will be introduced to the route.

LD Lines is also opening a daily crossing to Dieppe from Dover, with a crossing time of four hours and fifteen minutes.

Two ferries, which currently operate on the Newhaven-Dieppe route under the Transmanche Ferries name, part of the LD Lines network of ferry routes, will operate the new services.

The sister ships "Seven Sisters"and"Cote d'Albatre"each have capacity for 600 passengers and 300 cars or 52 freight vehicles or combination of both.

Early booking rates for bookings made by January 31 start at £24 one-way on Dover-Boulogne for a car and four passengers and £29.50 on Dover-Dieppe.

LD Lines’ managing director Christophe Santoni said: "We can clearly identify the strong commercial opportunities for a direct ferry link to be re-established between Dover and Boulogne following the departure of the previous operator and our research shows the demand is there from tourist passengers and freight customers, to bring forward the start of the service.

"A profitable ferry service must rely on a combination of passenger and freight business and by introducing a conventional ship to operate between Dover, Boulogne and Dieppe, both freight and tourist markets will have an extensive choice across our expanded route network."

LD Lines’ cross channel ferry service network will now comprose four routes, including Portsmouth-Le Havre; Newhaven-Dieppe; Dover-Boulogne and Dover-Dieppe, in addition to a service between Le Havre and Rosslare in Ireland.

by Phil Davies