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.
Christophe Santoni, LD Lines' managing
director, 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.
Monday, February 08 2010