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Latest ferry news for January 2009

Date Source Title
19 Jan 2009Directferries.co.ukNew Dover Boulogne service sails from February 12th!
14 Jan 2009Directferries.co.ukEuropean Breakdown Cover
7 Jan 2009Thisissouthwales.co.ukSwansea Cork Ferry route could return in 2009
6 Jan 2009Directferries.co.ukVisit us at the France Show 2009 from 9 - 11 January!
5 Jan 2009BBC News£70m port scheme seeks progress

New Dover Boulogne service sails from February 12th!

Date: 19 Jan 2009 Source: Directferries.co.uk

LD Lines has brought forward the opening of their new service between Dover and Boulogne by 6 months!

The new cross channel route is to start on February 12 rather than July 1 following the demise of SpeedFerries which previously operated the route.

A conventional freight and passenger ferry will operate on the route twice a day with a crossing time of one hour and 45 minutes.

The ship will utilise the existing berth previously used by defunct fast ferry operator SpeedFerries in Boulogne.

Sailing frequency between Dover and Boulogne will increase from two to six return daily sailings from July 1 when a second vessel will be introduced to the route.

LD Lines is also opening a daily crossing to Dieppe from Dover, with a crossing time of four hours and fifteen minutes.

Two ferries, which currently operate on the Newhaven Dieppe route under the Transmanche Ferries name, part of the LD Lines network of ferry routes, will operate the new services.

The sister ships "Seven Sisters"and"Cote d'Albatre"each have capacity for 600 passengers and 300 cars or 52 freight vehicles or combination of both.

Early booking rates for bookings made by January 31 start at £24 one-way on Dover-Boulogne for a car and four passengers and £29.50 on Dover-Dieppe.

LD Lines’ managing director Christophe Santoni said: "We can clearly identify the strong commercial opportunities for a direct ferry link to be re-established between Dover and Boulogne following the departure of the previous operator and our research shows the demand is there from tourist passengers and freight customers, to bring forward the start of the service.

"A profitable ferry service must rely on a combination of passenger and freight business and by introducing a conventional ship to operate between Dover, Boulogne and Dieppe, both freight and tourist markets will have an extensive choice across our expanded route network."

LD Lines’ cross channel ferry service network will now comprise four routes, including Portsmouth Le Havre; Newhaven Dieppe; Dover Boulogne and Dover Dieppe, in addition to a service between Le Havre and Rosslare in Ireland.

For more information or to make a booking, please visit our LD Lines page.

European Breakdown Cover

Date: 14 Jan 2009 Source: Directferries.co.uk

Avoid the hassle and reduce the cost of a breakdown in Europe - it could cost more than £1000 to bring back a broken down vehicle if you don't have European Breakdown cover!

With Directferries.co.uk you can now enjoy the peace of mind and reassurance that comes with a European Motor Breakdown Cover policy - and all at the most competitive prices on the internet!

You can now add a policy to your booking for as little as £32.50 for a 7 day trip (more than 10% cheaper than the biggest brands published prices!).

To add European Breakdown Cover to your booking, simply follow the prompts in our booking system.

Swansea Cork Ferry route could return in 2009

Date: 7 Jan 2009 Source: Thisissouthwales.co.uk

The Swansea-Cork ferry route could be re-established by March.
Campaign organisers say they hope to secure funds for the scheme before the end of the month.
John Hosford, spokesman for the bring back the Swansea Cork Ferry campaign, said: "Commercial confidentiality prevents us from divulging too much detail but vessels have been identified for the route and we have a number of interested operators.
"It's just a case of getting the investment together which will hopefully be in place before the month is out.
"If everything goes according to plan, the route could be up and running again as early as the spring by March or April."
Pressure has been building on both sides of the Irish Sea for a return of the ferry since it was axed in January 2007.
It has been estimated that the ferry route was worth around £65 million a year to Wales in 2006.
Some 2,762 people have signed an online petition so far at www.bring backtheswanseacorkferry.com
Mr Hosford, who runs businesses in Cork, said the new route would breathe life back into the tourism industry on both sides of the water.
"Tourism in the region has been badly hit since the ferry crossing ceased operating," he said.
"Losses have been estimated at 100,000 Euros per day.
"You can have the best facilities in the world at your disposal, but without providing proper access, it's pointless.
"The beauty of travelling on the ferry is that people can bring more things with them such as golf clubs or fishing equipment, without being mindful of the weighing scales — you can even put a camper van in the locker!
"Bus and lorry drivers can also get their required rest time on board.
"A lot of the people who have signed the petition said they would use it at least five times a year.
"We are confident it will be up and running again soon bringing a boost to the tourist industry."

Visit us at the France Show 2009 from 9 - 11 January!

Date: 6 Jan 2009 Source: Directferries.co.uk

We will be exhibiting at this years France show 2009.

Held on 9 – 11 January 2009 at London’s Earl’s Court, the show covers the complete French experience with delights such as a traditional French market, petanque court, caricature artists, live accordion players, wine tasting seminars and much much more.

Come and visit us at stand L85 for exclusive offers for your holiday requirements for 2009!

For more information about the show, please visit the official website: www.thefranceshow.com

£70m port scheme seeks progress

Date: 5 Jan 2009 Source: BBC News

Plans have been tabled for the first phase of a multi-million pound project by ferry operator Stena Line to develop a new port in south west Scotland.

The firm wants to move its Irish Sea services out of Stranraer and along the coast to Old House Point.

Permission is now being sought to carry out the necessary preparatory work for a new terminal near Cairnryan.

The company said creating a new passenger terminal further up Loch Ryan would cut journey times to Belfast.

Stena Line is looking for the go-ahead to carry out a programme of ground works needed as part of the proposed development of the new port.

It would involve a range of excavation and infilling operations as well as the widening of the site entrance and regrading of the access road.

The application - which is recommended for approval by council planning officials - will be considered by Dumfries and Galloway Council's Wigtown area committee later this week.

It is estimated the total cost of creating a new ferry port would be about £70m.

Stena Line is also required to submit an environmental impact assessment and seek a harbour empowerment order from the Scottish Government in order for the plan to progress.

On completion, the scheme would allow major redevelopment plans for Stranraer waterfront to forge ahead.

© Direct Ferries Ltd