Dover - Boulogne passenger service to cease

LD Lines have announced that they are to end their passenger service between Dover and Boulogne from September 5th 2010. However, they are currently considering options to retain a freight only service from September 6th. It is likely that any freight only service would involve a reduced frequency and would primarily be focused on unaccompanied traffic.

The review of the Dover - Boulogne service follows the decision to transfer one of the ships from this route to the new link between Saint Nazaire in France and Gijon in Northern Spain from September 7th 2010.

The move by LD Lines is the latest in a series of announcements by Dover ferry operators regarding overcapacity on the Dover Straits. LD Lines MD Christophe Santoni has stated that "A return to profitability can only be achieved by the ferry industry by adjusting supply to demand, increasing prices and market consolidation. Whilst there remains huge over capacity on the Dover Strait, we are addressing this issue now by looking to see if such a revamped service is economically sustainable, despite a continually difficult trading climate." This follows a warning earlier this month from P&O CEO Helen Deeble over lost volumes and the inability to rule out job losses. Meanwhile, SeaFrance remains in administration having received only one bid for the company.

For further information on LD Lines services please contact our Customer Service team on +44 (0)844 847 9000.