French firm takes on ex-P&O Ferries route
Paris-based LD Lines is to pick up the Portsmouth-Le Harve cross channel service being dropped by P&O Ferries tomorrow.
LD Lines online bookings facility – www.ldlines.com – has started taking bookings for the service which is launched on Monday.
Outbound sailings depart Portsmouth at 23.00 for an overnight crossing, arriving in Le Havre at 07.30. Inbound sailings depart Le Havre at 17.00, arriving in Portsmouth at 21.30 (local times).
The vessel to be used on the route is the 13-year-old Norman Spirit, which is being modified in Dunkirk. LD expects to handle up to 600,000 passengers and 50,000 trucks in the medium term.
Portsmouth Ferry Port manager Martin Putman said: “Since P&O’s announcement last year a massive behind-the-scenes effort has secured the future of the route.
“A lot of interest has been expressed by various parties interested in operating from the port and there is potential for further announcements in the future.
“Portsmouth City Council has made substantial investments in the port over recent years, with £11 million being spent on new berth facilities to accommodate fast craft, modern ferries and larger cargoes, as well as a multi-storey car park.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent