LD Lines to start Dover-Boulogne service
LD Lines will launch a Dover to Boulogne freight and passenger service in 2009 after winning approval from the Port of Dover.
Scheduled to start on July 1, the new service will provide four return sailings daily, (two on Sundays), with a crossing time of one hour 45 minutes.
The vessel Norman Spirit, which currently operates on LD Lines’ Portsmouth to Le Havre service, will be replaced on the Western Channel and is then expected to be transferred to operate the new Dover to Boulogne route.
The ship has capacity for 1,850 passengers, 700 cars and 110 freight vehicles.
LD Lines directeur general Christophe Santoni said: “Our entry into the highly competitive short sea cross channel ferry business is a major development for LD Lines.
“We are convinced that the service will undoubtedly attract new freight and tourist customers, which will benefit both Dover and Boulogne as departure and destination ports.â€
In the first year of operation the company expects to carry in the region of 120,000 freight vehicles, 133,000 cars and 400,000 passengers.
The Port of Dover is planning a second ferry terminal to meet forecasts in traffic growth.
Fares and reservation information for tourist passengers have yet to be finalised.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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