by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

Two ferry companies which operate a joint service between Dover and Calais have decided to form a new joint company.

DFDS and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs pooled their resources to launch the Dover-Calais service in February, following the demise of SeaFrance, and have now announced a second ship will join the fleet next month.

DFDS also operate the Dover-Dunkirk ferry services, and LD Lines previously ran ferries between Dover and Boulogne.

The new company will be launched on July 1, and will operate nine passenger and freight ferries on four routes in the Channel and one in the Mediterranean. DFDS will own 82% of the company and LDA 18%.

LD Lines is a French ferry company and a 100% owned subsidiary of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs. It was established in 2003.

LD Lines will transfer four chartered ships and one owned ship to the joint venture.

DFDS operates a network of 25 ferry routes and has extensive logistics business. It operates three ships on the Dover-Dunkirk route.

Flags and employment conditions for the staff will remain unchanged.

Full story in this week's Dover Mercury.