Poole: LD Lines to launch new UK-Spain service
LD Lines has announced the introduction of a new UK to Spain service between Poole (Dorset) and Santander in Northern Spain.
Complementing LD Lines’ existing France to Spain route between St Nazaire, south of Brittany, to Gijón in Northern Spain, the service represents a major development to the company’s creation of an Atlantic ferry network, providing new links to serve the UK, French, Spanish and Portuguese freight and tourist markets and making regions such as the Algarve within even easier reach for UK motorists.
Scheduled to commence on November 3 with the 6pm departure from Santander, the new service will provide two return sailings weekly between Poole and Santander with a crossing time of 26 hours.
Introducing the new Poole to Santander link will be the Norman Asturias with capacity for up to 500 passengers, 200 cars or 110 freight vehicles. On board facilities include 120 cabins, bar, restaurant, shop, cinema and childrens’ entertainment area.
The Norman Asturias currently operating the LD Lines’ Saint Nazaire to Gijón route will be replaced by her sister ship, the Scintu. The introduction of a two-ship service will increase the potential for integration and further improve efficiencies in LD Lines’ Atlantic operations.
With a commercial service speed of up to 24 knots, both are modern vessels built in 2008/2009 by the Visentini Italian shipyard.
Christophe Santoni, CEO of LD Lines, said: ”This exciting new project will be a key addition to our existing route between France and Spain and establish an Atlantic network by providing new travel and transport links for tourist and freight markets between Portugal, Spain, France and the UK. Significantly the timing of the introduction reflects growing confidence and evidence of signs of recovery for many European economies.”
The freight market will especially benefit from the new service by avoiding France’s weekend traffic ban and the planned implementation of the Ecotax for trucks from January 1, 2014.
The new service will also provide a major trade boost for the Port of Poole as chief executive, Jim Stewart, explains: “Poole Harbour Commissioners is delighted to welcome LD Lines to the Port of Poole and we look forward to working closely together to ensure the success of the new route. We are very confident that the service will prove very popular with both hauliers and tourists.”
Introductory offer fares for the new service start from £399 return for a car and two passengers including cabin.
