Boulogne's new Hub Port terminal opens
LD Lines' fast ferry 'Norman Arrow' is seen at Boulogne's new Hub Port terminal on Saturday.
s new Hub Port terminal was officially opened for the start of ferry operations on Saturday 19 September.
The linkspan is unique in that it can be mechanically moved sideways along the quayside to accommodate conventional ships and fast ferries. It is planned to add a second linkspan at the new Hub Port in 2010.
Landowners of the new terminal site is the Région Nord-Pas-de-Calais, with Boulogne Chamber of Commerce (the Boulogne Port Authority), operating as managers of the new multi-activity port and responsible for the ongoing development.
LD Lines’ fast ferry Norman Arrow, which operates the Dover – Boulogne service, has now transferred operations from the previous Gare Maritime berth to the new Hub Port.
The introduction of LD Lines’ new high speed catamaranin June of this year and the first ever fast ferry to carry freight in addition to tourist cars and passengers, has given the Port of Boulogne a major boost in advance of the new Hub Port becoming operational.
Boulogne Chamber of Commerce President, Francis Leroy said, ‘This represents a significant investment for the future and is a new page in the history of the Port of Boulogne. The new Hub Port can now position itself strongly within the ferry transport market by re-establishing cross channel links, and we will now be able to develop cross channel freight and tourist traffic via Boulogne.’
The entire Hub Port investment is €240m over 10 years and further expansion plans will focus on the fishing industry, as the port continues to establish itself as a premier centre in France for this trade. In the food industry zone in the port, there will be a new fish processing centre, hotel and restaurant.
Images for this article - click to enlarge
Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright © Mercator Media 2012. This does not exclude the owner's assertion of copyright over the material.
