LD Lines has confirmed that it will launch its high-speed catamaran Norman Arrow on the Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry route next year.
The vessel, which is currently being used on the Dover to Boulogne ferry link, will be deployed on a six-month seasonal operation to Le Havre from Easter to September 2010.
People catching ferries to Boulogne with
LD Lines in the future will travel on a conventional ship, which will provide a substantial increase in passenger capacity on the route.
The Norman Spirit will begin sailing from Dover in November this year and will operate four return crossings every day, with a journey time of one hour 45 minutes.
Christophe Santoni, managing director of
LD Lines, said: "We have been very encouraged by both freight and tourist customer response and the growing popularity of the Dover to Boulogne service since we re-established the route in February 2009.
"To be in the best possible commercial position to meet demand in 2010 and beyond, we have identified the need to now introduce the conventional ferry, Norman Spirit, to the service."
People planning to visit France can also take ferries to Calais from Dover with
Seafrance and P&O Ferries or travel on the Portsmouth to Caen ferry service provided by
Brittany Ferries.
Posted by Andrew Smith