DFDS and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) have today entered into an agreement to form a new company combining DFDS’ Channel operations and LD Lines’ ferry operations. The new company is expected to start operations with effect from 1 July 2012.
DFDS’ ownership share of the new company will be 82% and LDA will own 18%.
The following routes will be included in the new company:
Dover-Dunkirk
Dover-Calais
Portsmouth-Le Havre
Newhaven-Dieppe
Marseille-Tunis
LD Lines is a French ferry company and a 100% owned subsidiary of LDA. LD Lines was established in 2003 and currently operates four routes of which one route, St. Nazaire-Gijon, will not be included in the joint venture. LD Lines will transfer four chartered ships and one owned ship to the joint venture.
Strategic fit
The joint venture with LDA expands and consolidates DFDS’ route network, and further leverages DFDS’ operating model.
By combining the capabilities and operations of LD Lines and DFDS, a new and stronger company is formed, that is well positioned to defend and grow its customer services on the competitive Channel market.
The new company expands DFDS’ route network in line with DFDS’ strategy of creating a European shipping and logistics network.Â
Can’t find anything on either DFDS or LDA corporate websites relating to this.
Edit: just found it
They’ve also chartered the Barfleur off of Brittany ferries for 6 months for Dover Calais. She starts on the route 27th april.
DFDS AND LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS FORM JOINT COMPANY FOR CHANNEL FERRY ROUTES AND FRANCE-TUNISIA
DFDS and LOUIS DREYFUS ARMATEURS (LDA) have today entered into an agreement to form a new company that combines DFDS’ and LD Lines’ ferry routes in the Channel. From 1 July 2012, the new company will operate 9 passenger and freight ferries on four routes in the English Channel and one in the Mediterranean Sea, between France and Tunisia.
DFDS will own 82 % of the company and LDA 18%.
The following routes will be included in the new company:
- Dover-Dunkirk (Currently DFDS)
- Dover-Calais (DFDS & LD Lines in partnership)
- Portsmouth-Le Havre (Currently LD Lines)
- Newhaven-Dieppe (Currently LD Lines)
- Marseille-Tunis (Currently LD Lines)
LD Lines is a French ferry company and a 100% owned subsidiary of LDA. It was established in 2003 and currently operates four routes of which one route, the ‘motorway of the sea’ between Saint-Nazaire and Gijon, will not be included in the joint venture. 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 activities. In the Channel, DFDS operates three ships on the Dover-Dunkirk route and, in partnership with LD lines, two ships on the newly inaugurated Dover-Calais route. Both operations will be transferred to the new company.
Stronger services
“The new company expands DFDS’ route network in line with DFDS’ strategy of creating a European shipping and logistics network. By combining the capabilities and operations of LD Lines and DFDS, a new and stronger company is formed that is well positioned to deliver the ferry services that are required by our customers in the very competitive market on the Channel,” says Niels Smedegaard, CEO & President of the DFDS Group.
“This new company confirms our strategy to create a European leader in the Channel ferry business.
All ships we bring will remain of course under the French flag. We strongly believe that this is the right answer to the many challenges the industry has to cope with and are confident this fully integrated network will offer our clients a unique flexibility” says Gildas Maire, President of LD Lines.