New ferry to launch between Ramsgate and Ostend
by Graham Tutthill
LD Lines and Transeuropa Ferries have
announced a commercial agreement to launch a freight and passenger
service between Ramsgate and Ostend.
It is due to start next month, and will
initially involve one ferry - LD Lines' Norman Spirit, which
currently operates between Dover and Boulogne. The ship will be
renamed Ostend Spirit.
It will operate two return sailings a day,
with a crossing time of four hours. The ship is expected to replace
one of the current Transeuropa Ferries' fleet later in 2010.
Another ferry, the former Brave Merchant, will
replace the Norman Spirit on the Dover-Boulogne route.
Starting between March 15 and
30, the two companies will co-operate on commercial aspects of
the route.
The Ostend Spirit will continue to
operate under the British flag and be branded in LD Lines' and
Transeuropa Ferries' colours.
LD Lines' tourist fares on the Ramsgate-Ostend
service will be available for cars and passengers, cars and
caravans, motorhomes and motorcycles.
Launch offer fares starts from £24 single for
a car and five passengers, subject to availability.
Monday, February 08 2010