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Just a few weeks after the demise of French ferry company Seafrance, DFDS Seaways announced yesterday that it will commence operations on the short Dover-Calais Channel crossing from 17 February. In conjunction with its partner LD Lines, DFDS announced that two ships flying the French flag will be added to the Dover Straits. The new service will go head to head with P&O who are in the process of introducing the second of two super-ferries, The Spirit of France on the Dover-Calais service.

In a statement, DFDS said: "DFDS and our partner LD Lines have been very committed to establishing a new joint passenger and freight ferry service between Dover and Calais.

Today we are very pleased to announce that we will start our new service on 17 February 2012. Initially we will operate the route with the Norman Spirit, which is flying the French flag. A further ferry under the French flag will be added on the Dover Strait as soon as we can be ready with a suitable ship.

As we have also previously announced, we will hire 300 staff at sea and ashore in addition to those we already employ. The process of hiring people, many of these being former SeaFrance staff, has already started.

DFDS and LDA are grateful for the support which we have received from the French Government, Chamber of Commerce, the local authorities and the ports, whose support has been important factors in being able to start as soon as 17 February. We look forward to continuing this fruitful cooperation to the benefit of the future development of the route as well as employment."

To promote the new service, until 14th February, DFDS have issued a voucher code DC12, offering discounted prices for sailings on the Dover-Calais crossings between 17th February and 13th December 2012. Discounted prices are £29 one way in low season and £39 single for a peak season sailing. In addition, bookings can be amended without any admin fee up until 30th June 2012.

With the prospect remaining of Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel acquiring and leasing back three of Seafrance's former fleet, it looks like there is going to be plenty of competition on the shore Dover-Calais crossing which can only be good news for ferry customers.

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