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PRESS RELEASE
LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS ORDERS TWO FERRY VESSELS
For its subsidiary LD Lines, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) has ordered two ferry vessels (one being an option) at the Singapore Technologies Marine shipyard (ST Marine).
To reinforce its services in the central part of the Channel, between Le Havre and Portsmouth, LDA has ordered one ferry vessel, and has an option for a second one, at the Singapore Technologies Marine yard. LDA is proud to announce this evolution of its partnership with ST Marine. The yard is already building two ro-ro vessels designed to carry large aircraft components for Airbus. These vessels are due to be delivered to LDA in 2008. This first ferry vessel will be classed by Bureau Veritas for short international voyages. Contract price is USD 110 million per ship with delivery scheduled for the first semester 2010.
A total of 2 fixed cargo decks shall be provided for about 1,500m cargo lane and 1,000 square meters of hoistable car decks (combined capacity of about 60 trucks and trailers and 200 passenger cars). Loading and unloading is through stern and bow ramps at main deck. A total of two passenger decks will allow to accommodate about 1215 passengers, including :
- 160 cabins (2 beds + 2 pullman beds) ;
- one self service restaurant ;
- one truck drivers restaurant;
- two bars (coffee shop et pub) ;
- one first class lounge equipped with 100 180° reclining seats;
- one 100 reclining seats lounge.
Dimensions :
- Length overall 161.0 m
- Breadth (moulded) 25.60 m
- Depth to main deck 8.30 m
- Depth to upper deck 13.80 m
- Design draught 5.80 m
- Deadweight at design draught 4,000 t
- Maximal draught 6.20 m
- Deadweight at maximum draught 5,250 t
Propulsion :
- Trial 22 knots
- Service speed 19 knots
- 4 medium speed engines MAN 5,600 kW each.
- 3 diesel generators of 1,400 kW each, 400V 50Hz
LD LINES AWARDED TWO "BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS"
LD Lines is proud to announce that it has been awarded two "Business Excellence Awards" from the Portsmouth Evening News:
- Innovation of the Year 2008
- Team of the Year 2008
LD Lines has received these Business Excellence Awards because of the significant increase in passenger numbers since 2005 on its Portsmouth – Le Havre route as well as the announcement of the order of a new ferry with an option to buy a second.
LD Lines was also awarded the Innovation of the Year award for the LD Sleeper Seat concept. Passenger who chose a LD Sleeper Seat travel in a spacious lounge with first-class style 180 degress reclining seats and showers. This innovation offers passengers an lower priced alternative to cabins, and is an option that it is still far more comfortable than travelling on a budget airline.
Receiving these awards has encouraged LD Lines to consider increasing its sailing frequency, as well as undertaking more innovation and aiming for even higher customer satisfaction. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for supporting the LD Lines product and for continuing to travel onboard our ferries.
June 2010
LD LINES DISRUPTS THE NEWHAVEN - LE HAVRE ROUT
Following the introduction of a second daily service between Portsmouth and Le Havre mid October, LD Lines has decided to modify their autumn schedule and to stop their seasonal service between Newhaven - Le Havre. The route will stop on the 3rd of September 2008 instead of the 27th of September.
The Seven Sisters will resume her winter service between Newhaven and Dieppe on September 5th.
For any further information or alternative booking, please contact lehavretourisme@ldlines.fr
BOULOGNE TERMINAL HUB PORT
Occupying an exceptional position, located at a junction point for sea and rail connections, the ‘Hub Port Boulogne’ Project, a logistics platform for the unloading and loading of maritime freight, is developing the facilities needed to accommodate conventional and high-speed ships.
The construction of the new ro-ro terminal and the first linkspan have been started up at the beginning of the second period of 2008.
The first linkspan of the ro-ro terminal will be operational from August 2009.
LD LINES INCREASE IRELAND – FRANCE SERVICE FREQUENCY TO NEW MAIN PORT OF CHERBOURG
LD Lines has announced that it will be introducing a new direct Southern Ireland – France ferry service between Rosslare and Cherbourg from 19 September 2009.
The Southern Ireland – France link, previously launched by the company between Rosslare and Le Havre in November 2008, is being re-located to operate via the North West France Port of Cherbourg to increase service frequency, which shorter crossing times to and from Rosslare will provide.
The move is also being made to capitalise on the greater capacity available particularly for freight traffic via the Port of Cherbourg, which is also already a popular destination with the tourist market travelling directly from Southern Ireland.
LD Lines’ Norman Voyager will operate the new service, providing three return sailings each week with a crossing time of 17 hours, compared to the previous 22 hours Le Havre crossing time.
“Our on-going research shows that whilst there is clearly an ever-increasing demand to develop direct Ireland – France ferry links avoiding the UK mainland, freight customers in particular continue to require greater frequency of service and shorter crossings times wherever possible,” says LD Lines’ Managing Director, Christophe Santoni.
“With the increased number of sailings and improved crossing time we will now provide via Cherbourg, we anticipate that the freight and tourist business established between Southern Ireland and France since November 2008, will now have even greater commercial opportunities to develop.”
Newly built Norman Voyager was introduced by LD Lines in November 2008 onto the Portsmouth – Le Havre / Le Havre – Rosslare services. She has capacity for up to 800 passengers, 200 cars and up to 120 freight vehicles and on board facilities include 110 cabins, bars, restaurant and lounges.
The vessel will operate exclusively on the new Cherbourg – Rosslare service and will be replaced by the LD / Transmanche Ferries Cote d’Albatre as the second ship on LD Lines’ Portsmouth – Le Havre route, in tandem with Norman Spirit.
For more information : www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836
UK Press Contact : Nick Stevens : 07768 832899 / 01303 892631 email: nick@heyfordclose.fsnet.co.uk
NORMAN LEADER LAUNCHING CEREMONY IN SINGAPORE
Named Norman Leader, the new car ferry of LD Lines, was launched today, Thursday 8th October, during a ceremony held in the Singapore's ST Marine Shipyard in presence of Mr. Philippe Louis-Dreyfus, President of LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS GROUP. Mrs Thérèse Gehanne, Godmother of the ship also attends the ceremony with her husband, Pierre Gehanne, Chief Executive Officer of LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS GROUP and Hervé Lapierre, Head of Newbuilding and Project Department.
The Norman Leader, whose commercial exploitation is planned for early summer 2010, is specially designed for Channel crossing, between Le Havre and Portsmouth.
Her technical features should appeal to both tourists and cargo carriers between France and Great Britain. The 85 crew members can serve 1,215 passengers and embark 67 trucks and 200 cars (or 44 trucks and 400 cars).
Equipped with two ramps, the vessel has 2 decks for freight and vehicles of 1,500 linear meters and 2 hoistable car-decks of 1,000 m2. The ship also accepts dangerous goods and reefer trailers.
The interiors are mixed and directed to both truck drivers with a 100-seat dedicated restaurant and a 210 seats self-service restaurant for the general public. The Norman Leader has also two bars. She is equipped with 162 passenger cabins including 7 luxury and 2 cabins especially designed to accommodate disabled persons. Her four main engines will develop a power of 30 000 hp allowing her to sail at 21,4 knots service speed.
The Norman Leader will join the LD Lines fleet in the Channel composed of the Norman Spirit, Norman Voyager and Norman Arrow.
LD LINES’ NEW WEBSITE MAKES "SURFING FERRIES" EASIER
Cross channel ferry operator LD Lines has launched a new-look website – www.ldlines.com – providing improved and easier access for tourist and freight customers to research and book its network of ferry services.
The new site also features more emphasis on the operator’s Frequent Traveller programme, a more user-friendly booking engine, in addition to extensive fleet information, port maps, special offers, short breaks and destination guides and much more.
A unique feature to the company’s website also is “Pierre’s Corner” where customers can “chat” directly about all aspects of the LD Lines’ ferry services with the company’s Chairman, Pierre Gehanne.
LD Lines’ operates three exclusive cross channel ferry routes between the UK and France : Dover – Boulogne ; Newhaven – Dieppe and Portsmouth – Le Havre.
LD Lines is the ferry subsidiary of leading French shipowner, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group, with over 100 years experience in the shipping industry, operating over 60 ships worldwide.
For more information : www.ldlines.com
CROSS CHANNEL TRAVEL LATEST NEWS
With airports still remaining closed due to the ongoing volcanic ash situation, ports and ferries are now the only options available to many passengers travelling to and from the UK.
Ferry operator LD Lines confirms that space is available for cars and passengers in both directions on all of its four cross channel routes : Dover - Boulogne ; Newhaven - Dieppe ; Portsmouth - Le Havre and the new joint service with Transeuropa Ferries between Ramsgate and Ostend.
All LD Lines' ferry services are operating normally and on time with four return sailings daily between Dover (Eastern Docks) and the Port of Boulogne's new Hub Port ; four return sailings daily between Ramsgate and Ostend ; two return sailings daily between Newhaven and Dieppe and fast (one return) and conventional (one return) ferry services between Portsmouth and Le Havre.
Customers are strongly advised to contact the ferry operator before travelling and to book and for more information call 0844 576 8836 or www.ldlines.com and / or 01843 595522 for Transeuropa Ferries / LD Lines' Ramsgate - Ostend service.
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Issued on 20th April 2010
UK press contact (LD Lines) : Nick Stevens – 07768 832899
Ostend / Belgian contact : (Transeuropa Ferries) : Dominique Penel – 00 32 498 914 104
French press contact (LD Lines) : Jonathan Claquin : 00 33 62 30 74 386
25/05/10
LD LINES ADD SECOND SHIP TO INCREASE DOVER - BOULOGNE FREQUENCY AND CAPACITY
Ferry operator LD Lines has announced that a second ship is to be added to its Dover - Boulogne service and the new two ship operation will commence from Saturday 29th May 2010.
Frequency will be increased from the current eight sailings daily to up to fourteen sailings daily with the introduction of the newly named 22,152 gross tonnes vessel, Norman Trader, operating in tandem with existing sister ship on the route, Norman Bridge.
Both ships have capacity for up to 400 passengers and with 2,000 lane metres of vehicle deck space and can carry up to 130 cars and 40 trucks, or adjustable combinations of freight and tourist traffic.
LD Lines' Managing Director, Christophe Santoni, said : "The introduction of a second ship to the Dover - Boulogne route reflects our determination to develop and establish the service. The increased frequency and capacity we can now provide will undoubtedly appeal to and meet the demands of both freight and tourist cross channel customers."
Both ships on board facilities include self-service restaurant, lounge bar and TV lounge - with 96 reclining seats throughout the passenger lounges - and shop with a range of products including drinks, tobacco, perfumes, gifts, books and newspapers.
The new schedule will be : Dover - Boulogne - 0500 ; 0700 ; 1100 ; 1300 ; 1715 ; 1900 ; 2330
Boulogne - Dover - 0500 ; 0900 ; 1100 ; 1500 ; 1700 ; 2115 ; 2315 (local time)
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 euros investment over ten years of the development and expansion of Boulogne's commercial port.
LD Lines' Dover - Boulogne Spring Summer offer fares start from £29 single for a car and two passengers and for more information and to book : www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836.
For more information on Boulogne's new Hub Port : www.boulogne-hub.com or www.port-boulogne.com
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LD LINES AND CELTIC LINK FERRIES NEW AGREEMENT FOR IRELAND – FRANCE ROUTE
As part of a re-organisation of its Ireland – France ferry services, LD Lines has announced a new ship charter agreement with ferry operator Celtic Link Ferries.
LD Lines’ vessel Norman Voyager, will now be operating under charter to Celtic Link Ferries from 29 September 2009.
"The new commercial agreement between the two companies on the Ireland – France link is a significant move by LD Lines in consolidating ship deployment and meeting customer demand", as LD Lines’ Managing Director, Christophe Santoni explains.
"We are totally committed to developing the new Rosslare – Cherbourg service, but to ensure the Norman Voyager is utilised to maximum efficiency, we are pleased to have reached agreement with Celtic Link Ferries."
“In continuing tough trading conditions, it is essential that we maximise our business opportunities both in terms of operations and managing costs, whilst providing our customers with high levels of service and frequency. With this new agreement we are very confident that this will succeed.”
Norman Voyager has capacity for up to 800 passengers, 200 cars and up to 120 freight vehicles. On board facilities include 110 cabins, bar, restaurant, lounges and shop. She has previously operated on LD Lines’ Portsmouth – Le Havre and Rosslare - Le Havre routes since being introduced in November 2008.
For more information : and www.celticlinkferries.com
LD LINES CONFIRMS FAST FERRY DOVER - BOULOGNE SERVICE PLANS
Ferry operator LD Lines have confirmed plans to increase sailing frequency on its new fast ferry service between Dover and Boulogne from the current four to five return sailings daily from early 2010.
The company have also announced, as a result of the appeal amongst tourist and freight customers of the Norman Arrow service, the conventional ferry Cote d'Albatre, which is currently operating back on the LD Transmanche Ferries Newhaven - Dieppe service, will not return to the Dover - Boulogne route.
LD Lines' fast ferry services will soon transfer to the Port of Boulogne's new Hub Port Terminal and with the Cote d'Albatre's stern ramp not fitting the newly installed linkspan, operating efficiency of the ship in terms of freight and tourist traffic carrying capacity, would be considerably limited.
LD Lines had previously brought forward the start date of its Dover - Boulogne service from July to February this year, transferring the Cote d'Albatre from the Dieppe route, providing the tourist market with a direct Boulogne ferry link. This followed the demise of the previous fast ferry operator, SpeedFerries, in November 2008.
This latest development confirms LD Lines' future plans to focus entirely on developing the Dover - Boulogne route as an exclusive high speed ferry service as Managing Director, Christophe Santoni, explains.
"We are very encouraged by the early response to the new Norman Arrow service, which is clearly demonstrating an ever-increasing demand from tourist and freight customers preferring to cross the channel in just one hour.
It was never our long term intention to maintain a combined high speed ferry and conventional ferry service choice on the route. We are already in the advance planning stages of increasing sailing frequency of the Norman Arrow and ultimately adding a second high speed ferry to the route, to provide a unique shuttle-like operation between Dover and Boulogne."
LD Lines has also set up a working group, involving shipbuilders and engine manufacturers, to look at larger fast ferries than the present generation 112 metre Incat wave piercing catamarans.
Owned by the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group, LD Lines' operates four cross channel ferry routes : Dover - Boulogne ; Portsmouth - Le Havre ; Newhaven - Dieppe, in addition to a direct ferry service between Le Havre and Rosslare Europort in Southern Ireland.
LD LINES CONFIRMS EARLY DOVER–BOULOGNE SERVICE START UP AND NEW DOVER–DIEPPE ROUTE IN FEB 2009
Ferry operator LD Lines has confirmed its arrival into the Dover Straits cross channel ferry market will commence from 12 February bringing forward the introduction of its new Dover – Boulogne service and a new route between Dover and Dieppe.
The company will begin a Dover – Boulogne service almost six months ahead of schedule, from the previously announced 1 July 2009 start date, by introducing a conventional freight and passenger ferry to the route.
Operating from Dover Eastern Docks, in the Port of Boulogne the ship will utilise the existing berth previously utilised by the defunct fast ferry operator, SpeedFerries.
“We can clearly identify the strong commercial opportunities for a direct ferry link to be re-established between Dover and Boulogne following the departure of the previous operator and our research shows the demand is there from tourist passengers and freight customers, to bring forward the start date of the service, “ says Christophe Santoni, Managing Director LD Lines.
“A profitable ferry service must rely on a combination of passenger and freight business and by introducing a conventional ship to operate between Dover, Boulogne and Dieppe, both freight and tourist markets will have an extensive choice across our expanded route network.”
From 12 February two return sailings daily will be provided between Dover and Boulogne with a crossing time of 1 hour 45 minutes. One round trip daily will operate between Dover and Dieppe with a crossing time of 4 hours 15 minutes.
Built as recently as 2007, the ships introducing the new services will alternate between the “Seven Sisters” and “Cote d’Albatre”, both of which currently operate on the Newhaven – Dieppe route under the Transmanche Ferries name, part of LD Lines network of ferry routes. The sister ships have capacity for 600 passengers and 300 cars or 52 freight vehicles or combination of both.
“We are delighted to welcome the early start of this new service by LD Lines, which proposes immediately a new travel opportunity for the 700,000 passengers a year who were using the previous service,” said Francis Leroy, President of the Chamber of Commerce Boulogne-sur-Mer Cote d’Opale. “This is excellent news for the port, town and Boulonnais region at the start of the year and is the first step prior to the service increasing from two to six return sailings daily from July 2009 with a second ship.”
The Dover – Dieppe service will be opening new direct tourist and commercial trading links between the South East of England and the Normandy region of France and provide many travel benefits, as Christophe Santoni explains.
“Freight and tourist customers will be saving 250 km drive time by using this service and the route will create an innovative travel choice for customers whose onward destinations are the West and South West of France and Spain. The service will give them a 4 hour rest period too on board during the crossing, compared to extra hours on the roads en route to regions such as Normandy and Brittany.”
For tourist traffic on the Dover – Boulogne route, lead-in fares start from £24 one way for car and four passengers and Dover – Dieppe from £29.50 each way for a car and two passengers. Both offers must be booked by 31 January 2009 via www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836.
With construction of the Port of Boulogne’s new Hub Port Ro Ro terminal well advanced, as planned LD Lines will be inaugurating the new berth facilities with the addition of a second ship to the route from 1 July 2009. Sailing frequency between Dover and Boulogne will then increase from two to six return sailings daily.
LD Lines cross channel ferry service network will now comprise four routes including Portsmouth – Le Havre ; Newhaven – Dieppe ; Dover – Boulogne and Dover – Dieppe, in addition to a direct ferry service between Le Havre and Rosslare Europort in Southern Ireland.
LD Lines is owned by the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group, a leading French shipowner with over 100 years experience in the shipping industry, operating over 60 ships worldwide.
For more information visit www.ldlines.com
