More details are expected to be announced later, but DFDS said that the new direct service, bypassing a land bridge, would target the freight market with crossing times of 24 hours. DFDS couldn't give any details about the three ships that would operate the route, but said it would be ro-pax tonnage with a capacity of 125 lorries and drivers having their individual cabin. "Tonnage might be sourced from the charter market, but we could also use one or more of our own ships for this new route," a DFDS spokesperson said. Another possibility is that Visentini Class ships currently operating in the Baltic will be transferred to the new route with their place being taken by chartered-in tonnage. "All scenarios are on the table," DFDS told us, "ship names will be announced at a later date."

The new direct France-Ireland route, which will start on 2 January, will offer shippers the possibility to transport their goods directly to or from other EU countries without customs formalities, additional costs and possible waiting times.

"For the vast Irish export to continental Europe – e.g. the agri export worth EUR 5 billion per year together with other high-value and time-sensitive commodities – the direct sea link will reduce the dependency on the UK land bridge and subsequent border crossings," Peder Gellert, EVP and Head of DFDS's Ferry Division commented on DFDS's latest initiative.

The new route is jointly owned by DFDS and Irish interests. It is expected to reach revenues above DKK 300 million in 2022 and will initially not target passengers, although a passenger offering may be marketed at a later stage.

© Shippax / Philippe Holthof