LD Lines twin ferries now running together
Norman Bridge has been operating between Dover and Boulogne since March this year, with LD Lines bringing the newly named Norman Trader to join it next week.
Two sisters are getting back together at Dover UK. LD Lines has announced the addition of a second ship to its Dover - Boulogne route, and since it is the first ferry’s twin, its capabilities are well established.
The company’s Nick Stevens explained that LD Lines has been adjusting its fleet since opening the route in February last year in order to establish the best tonnage for the freight and tourist market. The conventional ferry that started early in 2009 was replaced in June by the high speed Norman Arrow, going back to a conventional ferry in September and settling on Norman Bridge earlier this year. ‘Since then, said Mr Stevens, ‘the route has developed well, and to meet demand we are confident that the time is right to increase frequency and capacity to the service.’
Norman Bridge, originally Brave Merchant – has been operating between Dover and Boulogne since March this year, with LD Lines bringing the newly named Norman Trader to join it at the end of May. The 180 m Norman Trader has a 25.24 m beam and 6.5 m draft, and was originally called Dawn Merchant, coming out of the Astilleros Espanoles yard in 1998.
As Dawn Merchant, the ferry operated on the Dover to Dunkirk service between 2002 and 2005/6, when it then became Pau Casals on a route for Baleria between Genoa and Sicily. In 2009 it became T-Rex, operated first by T-Link Lines and then Tunisia Ferries, before being laid up for a time in Cadiz.
Like its sister ship Norman Bridge, it has a service speed of up to 22.5 knots and a capacity of 399 passengers, 130 cars and 40 lorries. Taking both passengers and freight, the addition will significantly expand provision on the route, increasing the number of daily return sailings from four to seven. Crossing time is one hour forty-five minutes.
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 investment over 10 years of the development and expansion of Boulogne's commercial port.
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