DFDS and LD Lines launch Calais-Dover service

21 Feb 2012 - Shipping

• Kelly Brook joins shipping chiefs in celebrating launch

The joint DFDS Seaways and LD Lines Dover-Calais ferry route was officially launched last week.

Dressed in a sailor’s outfit, British model Kelly Brook (pictured) was joined by Carsten Jensen, senior vice-president, DFDS Seaways and Christophe Santoni, managing director, LD Lines to cut the ribbon, cementing the opening of the new route and its inaugural sailing.

Accompanying the vessel as it departed was a Port of Dover tug, firing its water cannon and sounding its horn.

The new route will operate up to five times a day, with the first sailings aboard the Norman Spirit.

A second ship and additional sailings will be added to the schedule at a later date.

DFDS, which already operates a cross-channel service between Dunkirk and Dover, has insisted that the new joint-venture will not affect its existing service in any way.

Following the collapse of SeaFrance earlier this month, competitors have been quick to make their moves in plugging the gap in a fiercely competitive UK-France freight market.