Shipping firm takes over cross-Channel ferry service

A key Channel ferry crossing due to be axed in the next few days is to carry on under a new operator, it was announced today.

Earlier this year P&O Ferries announced it was stopping sailings on the Portsmouth-Le Havre route this autumn.

Today, Portsmouth port bosses announced that Paris-based shipping company LD Lines would take over the route from October 3.

The company will be making one return crossing a day using a 1992-built vessel Norman Spirit which has a capacity of 1,850 passengers and 120 trucks.

Portsmouth Port manager Martin Putman said: “This announcement is the fruition of combined effort by parties both sides of the Channel to ensure that the Portsmouth-Le Havre route, a key gateway to and from northern France and beyond, continues.

“We’re delighted to welcome Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LD Lines’ parent company) on board.”

Portsmouth City Council’s executive member for planning, regeneration and economic development Mike Hancock said that a massive behind-the-scenes effort had secured the future of the route, which it is anticipated will be good for local jobs as well as the UK economy.

He went on: “The council has made substantial investments in the port over recent years, resulting in modern and flexible facilities for its customers. We will continue to support port management with its work in promoting the port to ensure that it maintains its status as the premier ferry port in the western channel.”