LD Lines goes head-to-head with Brittany Ferries

Date: 10 May 2007 00:00 Source: Lloyds List

The ferry war in the English Channel has hotted up this month with the start of a new service by French operator LD Lines between Newhaven and Le Havre – in addition to its existing sailing from Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth Le Havre Ferry route was abandoned last year by P&O Ferries, and Brittany Ferries — the major operator in the western Channel — showed no real interest in adding Le Havre to its existing main hub ports of Cherbourg and Caen.

But LD Lines new route from Newhaven to Le Havre, little more than an hour’s drive from south London, could have an impact, as it offers a viable alternative for those heading to Brittany by significantly shortening the distance needed to travel within France rather than drive from Boulogne or Calais Ferry Port.

Ferry companies are up against budget airlines such as Flybe, which serves Brittany airports. However, this is not seen as a serious challenge as fare savings are offset by car hire costs upon arrival.

Brittany Ferries will be carefully watching interloper LD Lines, but for now it is consolidating its dominance in the west by offering a mix of high-class cruise ferry and high-speed services from the '3 p's' — Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth — crossing to Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff.

In addition, its flagship Pont-Aven, delivered in 2004, sails from Plymouth to Santander
P&O Ferries operates a Portsmouth Bilbao Ferry service, and now has this route to itself following the withdrawal of Spanish operator Acciona Trasmediterranea, whose ferry has returned to the Mediterranean.

Britanny Ferries is particularly pleased with its recent purchase of the fast ferry Normandie Express after two seasons’ experience with the vessel on a charter basis.

A spokesman for Brittany Ferries commented 'We decided to buy the vessel because we had the opportunity to do so at a fair price and it also fits with our strategy of providing a range of options for our passengers.'

'Further, it confirms our commitment to the Portsmouth Cherbourg ferry route — and this high speed crossing of only three hours means it is a competitive product compared with flying for those for whom speed is important, but with the advantage of having your own vehicle.

'This is especially true for people residing in London and the south — within one to two hours drive from Portsmouth.'

The Normandie Express operates from April to end October and at certain peak periods during the summer it makes two crossings each way Monday to Thursday. At weekends - Friday to Sunday — it squeezes in one return service to Caen.

The Incat built ferry, originally named The Lynx, was completed in July 2000, and was the 57th hull constructed by Incat. In its present configuration it can accommodate 850 passengers and 235 cars.

Typically, the Normandie Express averages 40 knots on a crossing, even against the tide. However, as with any fast ferry, there are strict operating criteria to get the right speed/fuel balance, at the same time keeping to the sailing schedule. On a recent crossing to Cherbourg ferry port, the vessel’s master Cyrille Fabry explained this is why on all Incat fast ferries the central seat at the bridge console is occupied by the chief engineer, with the chief mate on his left and the navigator on his right.

The chief engineer is tasked with detailed monitoring, and planning of fuel consumption and speed throughout the crossing, taking wave and wind factors into account.

Capt Fabry, who joined the company in 1989, said they were very pleased with the vessel’s reliability record.

In addition to the master, chief engineer and chief mate, there are two other engineers, two deck officers, an electrician and four crew. At peak periods the complement changes twice a day.

Now it owns the vessel, Brittany Ferries has the problem of finding work for it during the winter months, perhaps on charter in the Mediterranean or Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Brittany Ferries is spending more than £130m ($260m) on two new ships. The truck carrier Cotentin, costing £50m, was floated out at Aker’s yard in Helsinki last month. It is due to enter service this autumn, trading out of a (yet to be finalised) UK port to Cherbourg and will replace Coutance.

But the cruising speed of 23 knots will provide high utilisation, enabling the company to include a weekend Ferry to Spain operation for a rapidly growing freight market.

The same yard is building another cruise ferry, the £81m Armorique, designed specifically for the Plymouth Roscoff ferry route, replacing the Pont l'Abbe, currently on short-term charter, in the autumn of 2008. With a cruising speed of 23 knots, the vessel will have 250 cabins and be able to carry 1,500 passengers, 470 cars and 65 lorries.

For more information, please visit our Cross Channel Ferries page.

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LD Lines goes head-to-head with Brittany Ferries

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