DFDS and LD Lines have announced that their new Calais-Dover ferry service will start on February 17. The new service will be operated by two French-flagged vessels, including LD Line’s Norman Spirit.

A second ferry will be added to the Dover Strait as soon as a suitable vessel becomes available, according to DFDS.

Following the recent collapse of SeaFrance, competitors have been quick to make their moves in plugging the gap in a fiercely competitive UK-France ferry market.

Eurotunnel has also announced its own plans to introduce a revised cross-channel service, with the acquisition of three, now out of service, SeaFrance vessels.

Eurotunnel hope to establish themselves as the majority partner in the venture that would revitalize the Calais-Dover route by employing a number of former SeaFrance employees.

Meanwhile, P&O Ferries is also looking to enhance its own Dover-Calais link with the introduction of an additional vessel.