Dover/boulogne
- 25 May 2010 14:4053276from this coming saturday an additional ship will be put on the above route by ld lines.
this means that there will be 14 crossings per day instead of the 8 now.
approx 100 jobs created there. - 25 May 2010 15:1353280I saw that Howard, the article I read did not say where the jobs would be though.
- 25 May 2010 17:5753306The additional ship is the ex Dawn Merchant, presently named T Rex. She will be renamed the Norman Trader and operate a two ship service Dover-Boulogne with the Norman Bridge, ex Brave Merchant.
The Ostend Spirit has been standing in for the Norman Bridge whilst she went away to get her rudders and bow doors sorted out, and will now return to Ramsgate-Ostend.
I had a phone call yesterday from Seamariner asking if I wanted a job but am already spoken for! Most of the Polish officers are being replaced with British, no doubt to avoid confrontation with the French unions who insist on French or British manning. - 25 May 2010 18:0553310Guys here's a Press Release just had in today from Nick Stevens, brother of Andy, and press officer on LD Lines..
News Release 25th May 2010
LD LINES ADD SECOND SHIP TO INCREASE DOVER - BOULOGNE FREQUENCY AND CAPACITY
Ferry operator LD Lines has announced that a second ship is to be added to its Dover - Boulogne service and the new two ship operation will commence from Saturday 29th May 2010.
Frequency will be increased from the current eight sailings daily to up to fourteen sailings daily with the introduction of the newly named 22,152 gross tonnes vessel, Norman Trader, operating in tandem with existing sister ship on the route, Norman Bridge.
Both ships have capacity for up to 400 passengers and with 2,000 lane metres of vehicle deck space and can carry up to 130 cars and 40 trucks, or adjustable combinations of freight and tourist traffic.
LD Lines' Managing Director, Christophe Santoni, said : "The introduction of a second ship to the Dover - Boulogne route reflects our determination to develop and establish the service. The increased frequency and capacity we can now provide will undoubtedly appeal to and meet the demands of both freight and tourist cross channel customers."
Both ships on board facilities include self-service restaurant, lounge bar and TV lounge - with 96 reclining seats throughout the passenger lounges - and shop with a range of products including drinks, tobacco, perfumes, gifts, books and newspapers.
The new schedule will be : Dover - Boulogne - 0500 ; 0700 ; 1100 ; 1300 ; 1715 ; 1900 ; 2330
Boulogne - Dover - 0500 ; 0900 ; 1100 ; 1500 ; 1700 ; 2115 ; 2315 (local time)
LD Lines is the exclusive cross channel operator providing a direct ferry service between Dover and Boulogne, which now operates into the Port of Boulogne's new Hub Port terminal.
The first of two new linkspans became operational in September 2009, representing the first phase of a 200 million euros investment over ten years of the development and expansion of Boulogne's commercial port.
LD Lines' new Dover - Boulogne sailings launch offer starts from £29 single for a car and up to nine passengers. More information and to book : www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836.
For more information on Boulogne's new Hub Port : www.boulogne-hub.com or www.port-boulogne.com
---------------ends----------------email: dover7@msn.com - 25 May 2010 18:2953323Bugger - you beat me again PaulB.
Good news all round I'd have thought.
Roger - 29 May 2010 04:2053860This is the Norman Trader in Arno's drydock in Dunkerque on thursday getting ready for introduction to the Dover-Boulogne route.
Alongside her on the Quai de Douvres was the worlds largest dredger, the Cristobal Colon, which can load up to 78,000 tons of sand via a trailing suction pipe.
Just over the way was the worlds largest wind turbine installation vessel, the MPI Resolution.
I was there on the Maersk Dover accompanying the Dunkirk little ships and will be posting on this later today after I have sifted through several hundred photos! - 29 May 2010 07:1853864What I`ll miss most Ed when I finish up, and you`ll understand. Having an interest with the job and able to record it all through being there, most of the time in an exclusive position where the general public wouldn`t be admitted. Great picture`s above, and I`m hoping to travel round this country a bit, and see what`s still about at our ports. The railway has interested me over the years, but it won`t once I leave, although any steam about obviously will.Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
- 29 May 2010 07:4753873Great stuff there Ed as ever.
This caught my eye late yesterday...there is something different about it. I think it must have had a makeover colourwise. Its the Norman Bridge. Soon to be joined by the Norman Trader as shown above.
email: dover7@msn.com
