Ferry firms announce new Ramsgate service

​Ramsgate will get a new passenger ferry as part of a tie-up between two cross-Channel firms.

LD Lines and Transeuropa have announced plans to run the massive Norman Spirit ferry between Ramsgate and Ostend, with services due to start before the end of March.

Dominique Penel, general manager of Transeuropa Ferries, said the ship would bring more tourists into the town.

He said: “This makes good economic sense for both companies. Transeuropa has established an excellent, solid freight business via the Ramsgate – Ostend route since we began in 1998 and now, with a larger ship, we have the potential to improve the level of service to our freight customers, while also developing the tourist traffic through LD Lines’ passenger marketing resources.”

The 30,000 tonne ship, which has been working between Dover and Boulogne since last year, will be renamed The Ostend Spirit when it begins to make the four-hour crossings.

It contains a self-service restaurant, a coffee bar, the Dirty Duck Pub, 59 cabins, a shop and a kids’ play area.

As part of a starting-up deal, a crossing for a car and five passengers will cost £24.

For more information and to book, visit www.ldlines.com