LD Lines annouce fleet switch on Channel crossings

FERRY firm LD Lines is to make changes to the deployment of its fleet over the coming months and into 2010.

The company has said that from early November 2009 the Norman Spirit will transfer from its current Western Channel Portsmouth to Le Havre route to start operations on the Dover to Boulogne service, offering increased freight and tourist traffic capacity.

Norman Spirit will operate four return sailings daily between Dover and Boulogne and provide a crossing time of one hour 45 minutes.

The ship has capacity for 1850 passengers, 700 cars, 110 freight vehicles and the service will also carry coaches and foot passengers.

However, the change will see the re-deployment of the high speed catamaran Norman Arrow, which began operating across the Dover Straits in June 2009, on to the Portsmouth to Le Havre route, where she will begin a six month seasonal operation from Easter to September 2010.

The Norman Arrow will considerably reduce crossing times between Portsmouth and Le Havre to three hours 15 minutes compared to conventional ferry crossing times of five hours 30 minutes (day sailings) and eight hours (night sailings).

It will operate alongside the year-round conventional ferry Cote d'Albatre.

Comments

[Karl Pitwon]

Reading this after writing a review about how good the Norman Arrow was operating out of Boulogne, and praising the service . I find this a real step back for LD lines....... 1 hour 75 mins.....and the rest, manoeuvering a big ferry in and out of Boulogne, what with tide and dredging problems .... more like 2hours 30 mins.

Oh well.... its the old drive up to Calais again

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Karl, I must admit that this news sounds more like a step back than a step forward.
All the best, Craig

[Pearson]

Whilst a retrograde step, may not be quite as bad as Karl believes as the new docking uses a wider deeper channel I understand. However, 90 - 120 minutes is still unacceptable after what Pierre (Chairman) was saying about FAST craft not many weeks ago.
What a pity Euroferries may never launch(?)

[Andrew]

Bad news - I am beginning to think we a jinxed. SpeedFerries fast cat service from Dover to Boulogne was excellent until it went backrupt. Then along came LD Lines with an even better fast cat service - hurrah! Now they are moving that! I can't imagine trying to take sea-sick children on a rolly-polly conventional ferry ... better look at the tunnel again :-(

[MikeRC]

That's a pity and certainly dilutes the attractiveness of LD's Dover Straits offering for private motorists - guess it's aimed squarely at carrying the maximum possible freight from Dover - much more lucrative. A cynical move after having helped drive poor Speed Ferries into bankruptcy.

[Karl Pitwon]

interestingly enough I noticed that although they were using the new 'Port Hub' last time I used the 'Norman Arrow', there was certainly an increase in Lorry traffic from it. With a larger freight carrying ferry being put into service there , will mean an increase in lorries making it even more difficult to get out of the port.
I agree with Mike RC regarding poor old Speedferries demise, that's if this lot were anything to do with it. As for 'Eurofairies' actually ever getting going, as I only need to go to Dover where my family live, the thought of using that thing into an easterly gale all the way to Ramsgate, then the drive to Dover ...... better to drive up to Calais

[Craig McGinty]

Thanks for the comments and it will be interesting to see if there are more changes in the future, I'll try and keep on top of them!!!
All the best, Craig

[CRUSSON MARIE]

I would like to book a 24 HOURS return from LE HAVRE TO PORTSMOUTH LEAVING ON THE 21/12 COMING BACK ON THE 22 ND... FOR 37,50 E ONE WAY : is it possible????
MANY THANKS! happy Xmas MARIE