On the two
occasions I have visited Belgium other than for work we have taken the ferry
from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk and driven to Belgium. So it came as no
surprise to hear that Trans Europa Ferries, which operated a direct service
from Ramsgate to Ostend, had gone bankrupt.
Stiff
competition from the Dover-Calais/Dunkirk boats, not to mention the channel
tunnel and low-cost airlines proved too much for the Slovenian-owned firm. With
easy access to Belgium through France, one has to ask if a direct England to
Belgium ferry is really necessary.
Meanwhile,
further up the east coast, politicians are hoping to re-establish a ferry link
between the UK and Norway after the DFDS Newcastle-Bergen service was scrapped.
Alison McInnes MSP has stated on her website that she is keen to see an
Aberdeen-Bergen ferry established. Such a route would be a shorter sea crossing
than the route from Newcastle and it would cut journey times for car drivers
travelling from Scotland who would otherwise face a long journey via England
and Denmark. The only problems facing potential operators are high fuel prices
and those pesky low fares airlines. Aberdeen already has ferry services
operating to the Orkney and Shetland islands, so there are already facilities
to handle ferries, it would just require the acquisition of a vessel. Perhaps
even Northlink themselves could take on the challenge of running across to Norway?
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