Post by ferryfast admin on Feb 24, 2012 15:32:04 GMT -5
Model start for ferry service out of Dover
Friday, February 24, 2012
www.thisiskent.co.uk/Model-start-ferry-service-Dover/story-15307493-detail/story.html
BOSSES behind the new Dover-Calais ferry service have vowed to use their transport acumen to make the route a success.
DFDS Seaways and LD Lines are now running in direct competition with rival operator P&O Ferries with the Norman Spirit sailing up to five times a day.
A second ship will join her in the coming weeks as slots in both the Port of Dover and in Calais free up. Details of the second vessel due to operate the route are expected to be announced in the next few days.
The Norman Spirit's inaugural sailing to Calais was a high-profile event, with glamour model and actress Kelly Brook paid a rumoured five-figure sum to help launch the service last Friday.
LD Lines managing director Christophe Santoni said: "It's great to have a French flag flying on the Dover-Calais route again.
"We believe this new service will prove very successful and we're willing, if necessary, to use our financial power to help make it so. P&O are a big company and have the bigger share of the market but our consolidation with DFDS means we are also a big company and we have great experience and know-how in the industry."
To help boost sales, the first 1,000 passengers crossing on the new service were offered sailings for just £1 with return fares for the rest of the year priced at £29 – significantly cheaper than P&O's standard return ticket for a car and nine people at £70.
Chris Newey, passenger director for the English Channel at DFDS, said jobs would be created in the long term.
He told the Express: "We don't want to lumber ourselves with lots of employees only to have to get rid of some later down the line.
"We will look at how the route performs, especially when we have the second vessel operating, and take it from there.
"We hope customers will choose us over P&O because we have won several awards for our customer service and we were recently named best ferry company at a national awards ceremony.
"This is a big investment for us and we're optimistic that we will exceed in our goal – we have a history of taking over the market share from our competitors."
DFDS' and LD Lines' launch was hampered by former SeaFrance workers in France on Friday.
Port of Calais officials reported that ex-workers and union members were blocking the tourist lanes outside the LD Lines check-in areas in protest over the new service.
Relations between DFDS and SeaFrance staff union CFDT have been strained after DFDS failed in a takeover bid for the former ferry operator last year.
Friday, February 24, 2012
www.thisiskent.co.uk/Model-start-ferry-service-Dover/story-15307493-detail/story.html
BOSSES behind the new Dover-Calais ferry service have vowed to use their transport acumen to make the route a success.
DFDS Seaways and LD Lines are now running in direct competition with rival operator P&O Ferries with the Norman Spirit sailing up to five times a day.
A second ship will join her in the coming weeks as slots in both the Port of Dover and in Calais free up. Details of the second vessel due to operate the route are expected to be announced in the next few days.
The Norman Spirit's inaugural sailing to Calais was a high-profile event, with glamour model and actress Kelly Brook paid a rumoured five-figure sum to help launch the service last Friday.
LD Lines managing director Christophe Santoni said: "It's great to have a French flag flying on the Dover-Calais route again.
"We believe this new service will prove very successful and we're willing, if necessary, to use our financial power to help make it so. P&O are a big company and have the bigger share of the market but our consolidation with DFDS means we are also a big company and we have great experience and know-how in the industry."
To help boost sales, the first 1,000 passengers crossing on the new service were offered sailings for just £1 with return fares for the rest of the year priced at £29 – significantly cheaper than P&O's standard return ticket for a car and nine people at £70.
Chris Newey, passenger director for the English Channel at DFDS, said jobs would be created in the long term.
He told the Express: "We don't want to lumber ourselves with lots of employees only to have to get rid of some later down the line.
"We will look at how the route performs, especially when we have the second vessel operating, and take it from there.
"We hope customers will choose us over P&O because we have won several awards for our customer service and we were recently named best ferry company at a national awards ceremony.
"This is a big investment for us and we're optimistic that we will exceed in our goal – we have a history of taking over the market share from our competitors."
DFDS' and LD Lines' launch was hampered by former SeaFrance workers in France on Friday.
Port of Calais officials reported that ex-workers and union members were blocking the tourist lanes outside the LD Lines check-in areas in protest over the new service.
Relations between DFDS and SeaFrance staff union CFDT have been strained after DFDS failed in a takeover bid for the former ferry operator last year.