Ferry News Archive
High-speed ferries are winning Channel race
Date: 04 Jul 2009 00:00 Source: IFWFrench ferry operator LD Lines is considering replicating its high-speed Dover Straits concept on other routes.
MD Christophe Santoni commented that the Norman Arrow had been such a success on its Dover Boulogne service that LD was looking to add a second fast-ferry to the route.
It may also launch a high-speed ship on its Portsmouth-Le Havre service, he said.
"That is something we are considering, " said Santoni. "But first we must work with the shipyard to improve the concept, as we would like a bigger ship and maybe different engines.
"We are definitely looking to add a second high-speed ship on the Dover-Boulogne service, because the idea is to have a kind of shuttle service leaving every hour or so.
"The response we have had to the Norman Arrow shows that the concept of combining speed, freight and passengers is a good one, so we want to pursue it."
The Norman Arrow, introduced on the Channel last month, can make the crossing 30 minutes faster than P&O and SeaFrance services to Calais and is an hour faster than Norfolkline’s service to Dunkirk.
Santoni added: "On longer routes we would need a much higher freight capacity, and we also need to assess the bunker consumption - because the distance will mean the vessel consumes more fuel."
Also, as the Western Channel route was more exposed, the weather limitations of a high-speed ship may need to be considered for the sake of passenger comfort, he said.
The popularity of the Norman Arrow also meant LD Lines would probably need to withdraw its conventional ferry Côte d’Albâtre from the Dover-Boulogne service, said Santoni.
"It’s very likely that after the summer we will increase the number of sailings the Norman Arrow makes, depending on slot availability in Dover, " he explained.
"We may remove the Côte d’Albâtre from the service, because when people have the choice between the two ferries they tend to go for the Norman Arrow."
LD Lines has dropped the weekday Dover-Dieppe service it launched in February because it wasn’t commercially viable, a spokesman said. The vessel used on the service will be transferred to the Dover-Boulogne route.
For more information or to book LD Lines ferry tickets, please visit our LD Lines page.
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