YOURTHANET NEWS:
A new ship will be sailing between Ramsgate and Ostend after two ferry operators agreed to work together.
Transeuropa Ferries, which already sails out of Ramsgate, and LD Lines are teaming up to sail the Norman Spirit between the ports.
LD Lines has been operating the Norman Spirit between Dover and Boulogne, and the vessel will be renamed Ostend Spirit for its new route.
The commercial agreement was announced today (Mon, Feb 8) and will start in March.
Roger Latchford, Thanet council’s deputy leader, said: “This is marvellous news for both Ramsgate and Thanet.
“The port was built to receive vessels of this size and it’s good to welcome them back, especially because of the increased freight and passengers they represent.”
A start date of “between 15th and 30th March 2010” has been pencilled in and the two companies will cooperate on commercial aspects of the route.
LD Lines will take a lead in the development of the tourist and foot-passenger business, while Transeuropa Ferries will continue to focus on freight traffic and ship operations.
Transeuropa Ferries will operate the boat on a long-term charter basis and it will sail twice a day, replacing the vessel currently sailing on the route.
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.”
Dominique Penel, general manager of Transeuropa Ferries, said: “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 to 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, while also developing the tourist traffic through LD Lines’s passenger marketing resources.”
The newly-named Ostend Spirit, which was built in 1991, will continue to operate under the British flag and be branded in both LD Lines and Transeuropa Ferries colours.
LD Lines tourist fares on the Ramsgate to Ostend service will be available for cars and passengers, cars and caravans, motorhomes and motorcycles. On-board facilities include cabins and sleeper seats.
The launch offer starts from £24 single for a car and five passengers, subject to availability.
For more information and to book, visit www.ldlines.com or phone 0844 576 8836.
POSTED: 08/02/2010 15:55:43
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