Irish Ferries, som er en del af Irish Continental Group, vil til juni åbne en ny rute mellem Dover og Calais. I forvejen sejler både P&O Ferries og DFDS på ruten, ligesom DFDS også har en rute mellem Dover og Dunkerque.
Irish Ferries vil i første omgang indsætte færgen ISLE OF INISHMORE på ruten, den sejler i dag på ruten Rosslare – Pembroke. Desuden er planen at indsætte flere færger efterfølgende.
Irish Ferries vil dermed kunne tilbyde vognmændene en nemmere transportmuligheder mellem Irland og resten af EU, via Storbritannien, da de med den nye rute, er repræsenteret på både Det Irske Hav og Den Engelske Kanal.
Planen er at tilbyde plads til passagerer på den nye rute, når Covid-19 restriktionerne tillader det.
“We are delighted to welcome Irish Ferries to Dover. This announcement gives the millions of customers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland who value the intrinsic benefits of the shortest sea crossing to Europe, the prospect of even more choice. We believe the inclusive landbridge product will be popular with Irish exporters and will strengthen the just in time supply chain into the European Union. This is a clear signal of market confidence in the Dover route and will complement the resilient services currently provided. We wish Irish Ferries every success and look forward to having them on the route in the summer and working together as part of the Dover team building the future success of the Short Straits.”
Doug Bannister, administrerende direktør i Port of Dover
“The commencement of the service operated by Irish Ferries emphasises the strategic position of the port of Calais in the trade between Ireland, the United Kingdom and the continent. It is a clear sign of confidence just a few weeks before the opening of the new port of Calais”.
Jean-Marc Puissesseau, formand, Port of Calais
Kilde: Irish Ferries
