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Ferry News

DFDS to boost Channel operations with new ferry in 2021

To meet increasing demand, DFDS has chartered a new ship to operate on the Channel from 2021.

The new ship, to be built at Avic Weihai shipyard in China, will be able to carry 1,000 passengers and 3,100 lane metres of cargo.

The new ship is to be built in China

Every year, five million passengers, one million cars and 1.2 million trucks travel between Dover – Calais and Dover – Dunkerque on DFDS’ ferries.

“Since the ship has not yet been built, we have great opportunities to make sure that it is designed to give our guests the best possible experience with a completely new ship,” said DFDS spokesman Peder Gellert.

“We will charter the ship from Stena RoRo and operate it for 10 years with an option to buy it after that. And since we are considering replacing the fleet on the Channel in 2031, the timing is really good,”

Four DFDS captains have been testing in simulators how to navigate the future ship to make sure that it is best fitted out for the conditions on the Channel.

“We need to ensure that the ship is at least as fast in arrival and departure situations as our current ships,” said Henrik Tidblad, Commercial Fleet Director. “Therefore, we have made modifications to increase maneuverability.”

The ferry will be highly efficient and environmentally friendly with an expected reduction in oil consumption of around 25 per cent compared to current ferries.

The initial plan is for replacement of the oldest of the ferries, Calais Seaways, which was built in 1991. Market developments will determine the final deployment plan, which will be announced in 2020.

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