Irish Ferries

I’ve just seen an advert on tv that the above company will soon begin to operate services from Dover to Calais.Will that extra competition benefit us as customers?

By the looks of it they made the announcement on March 26 2021 and plan on sailing this month (June 2021)

Just had a look and the ship they are planning on using is currently up in Denmark.

Copy of the press release:

“Irish Ferries announces new service on Dover – Calais route.
26 MAR 2021
Irish Ferries, a subsidiary of Irish Continental Group plc (ICG), is pleased to announce a new service on the Dover – Calais route. This service is planned to start in June 2021, with the transfer of the Isle of Inishmore to the route. Additional capacity will be added in the coming months.

Irish Ferries is the market leader for freight and passengers between Britain and the Republic of Ireland, a leadership position that has been built on the twin pillars of customer focus and investment in purpose built ships for each route.

We are very excited about launching our services on the best short sea ferry market in the world and we believe we can bring more choice for customers in the years ahead.

As part of our commitment to the movement of freight on and off the Island of Ireland to both the UK and Europe, this additional capacity on the Dover – Calais route will significantly strengthen the capacity and reliability of the landbridge for exporters and importers. Hauliers will now have one operator providing an inclusive service on the Dublin - Holyhead, Rosslare - Pembroke and Dover - Calais routes. This will allow exporters and importers easier, cheaper, and quicker access to our European markets via the Common Transit Convention.

It is intended to offer passenger services on the route. The initial level of passenger services offered will be dependent on the easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Doug Bannister, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “We are delighted to welcome Irish Ferries to Dover. This announcement gives the millions of customers across the UK and the Republic of Ireland who value the intrinsic benefits of the shortest sea crossing to Europe, the prospect of even more choice. We believe the inclusive landbridge product will be popular with Irish exporters and will strengthen the just in time supply chain into the European Union. This is a clear signal of market confidence in the Dover route and will complement the resilient services currently provided. We wish Irish Ferries every success and look forward to having them on the route in the summer and working together as part of the Dover team building the future success of the Short Straits.”

Jean-Marc Puissesseau, Chairman, Port of Calais, said: “the commencement of the service operated by Irish Ferries emphasises the strategic position of the port of Calais in the trade between Ireland, the United Kingdom and the continent. It is a clear sign of confidence just a few weeks before the opening of the new port of Calais”.”

irishferries.com/uk-en/news … ais-route/

The Isle of Innishowen will be in Denmark for a refit so it is suitable for the crossing, anyone who has used this boat when it was in the Rosslare -Pembroke crossing will know that it is very tight when and not the fastest to load so am guessing that it is being made more suitable for the Dover -Calais crossing. If they do not change the width of the lanes then there will be quite a few rotund drivers who will struggle to get out once on board, but will be a good sideline for a local man on each side for selling and fitting mirrors :smiley:

Lets hope the grubs better than DFDS even if it is free

I went on it about a month ago, was the only vehicle. The food was stunning, and free! I will certainly use them again

euromat:
I went on it about a month ago, was the only vehicle. The food was stunning, and free! I will certainly use them again

I hope our lot have got an account with them then