Ferry companies join forces on new route
by Graham Tutthill
LD Lines and Transeuropa Ferries have
announced a commercial agreement to launch a freight and passenger
service between Ramsgate and Ostend.
It is due to start next month, and will
initially involve one ferry, LD Lines' Norman Spirit which
currently operates between Dover and Boulogne. The ship will be
renamed Ostend Spirit.
It will operate two return sailings a
day, with a crossing time of four hours. The ship is expected to
replace one of the current Transeuropa Ferries' fleet later in
2010.
Another ferry, the former Brave Merchant, will replace the
Norman Spirit on the Dover-Boulogne route.
Starting between March 15 and
30, the two companies will co-operate on commercial aspects of
the route.
LD Lines will take a lead in the
development of the tourist passenger business while Transeuropa
Ferries will continue to build its focus on freight traffic and
ship operations.
LD Lines' Managing Director, Christophe
Santoni said, "We are very pleased to announce this
development which will combine the considerable expertise of both
companies.
"For LD Lines it will further expand our
ferry service network and we can now offer the market an extensive
choice of routes from the west to east across the English Channel
to France, and now to a northern located port in Belgium. The port
of Ostend geographically is very well placed to attract new
business from the Benelux, Germany and Easter European
countries."
Dominique Penel, General Manager of
Transeuropa Ferries added : "This makes good economic sense for
both companies in relation to moving the service
forward.
"Transeuropa have established an
excellent, solid freight business via the Ramsgate - Ostend route
since we began in 1998 and now with a larger ship, we have the
potential to improve the level of service to our freight customers,
whilst also developing the tourist traffic through LD Lines'
passenger marketing resources."
The Ostend Spirit will continue to
operate under the British flag and be branded in LD Lines' and
Transeuropa Ferries' colours.
Johan Vande Lanotte, Chairman of the
port of Ostend and former Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium said:
"This is excellent news for the port of Ostend and for the
region.
"This is a clear signal we have survived
the worst of the crisis and we are now building for the future.
This co-operation is an important step in our plan for
growth."
LD Lines' tourist fares on the
Ramsgate-Ostend service will be available for cars and passengers,
cars and caravans, motorhomes and motorcycles. Launch offer fares
starts from £24 single for a car and five passengers, subject to
availability.
For more information and to book:
www.ldlines.com or call: 0844
576 8836.
Monday, February 08 2010