The freight-only ferry service between Sheerness and Calais is to restart.

Despite stories in French media saying the DFDS route was to be scrapped, the company announced today (Monday) that it will reopen "in the coming weeks."

The serviced started in July last year but was suspended on Saturday, January 15, because of "operational difficulties", thought to involve a dispute with French dockers.

Wayne Bullen, freight sales director at DFDS, said: “We are pleased to announce that our negotiations with partners in Calais, who are crucial to the operation of the route, have been concluded successfully. We are now identifying suitable tonnage to restart the service.

“In the meantime, we continue to provide an alternative unaccompanied freight service from Dover to Calais until we are able to get the Sheerness route back up and running. We will announce a restart date shortly."

He added: "The route has proven popular with our freight customers since it opened last summer. We are looking forward to reinstating the service.”

A spokesman for the company said it was expected to restart the service "within a few weeks".

The route offers a daily sailing for up to 165 trailers or containers without drivers.