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DFDS to Trial 'Passenger' Service to France On Rosslare Europort-Dunkirk Route

3rd August 2022
Rosslare Europort is to see a new trial 'passenger' service connecting France when operator DFDS launch on their existing Rosslare-Dunkirk freight route from Friday, 5th August, with five sailings per week. AFLOAT adds this will be a first for DFDS with the link between Ireland and mainland Europe, however, the Danish company, for a brief spell, had passenger and freight routes on the Irish Sea until exiting the Ireland-UK market in early 2011
Rosslare Europort is to see a new trial 'passenger' service connecting France when operator DFDS launch on their existing Rosslare-Dunkirk freight route from Friday, 5th August, with five sailings per week. AFLOAT adds this will be a first for DFDS with the link between Ireland and mainland Europe, however the Danish company for a brief spell had passenger and freight routes on the Irish Sea until exiting the Ireland-UK market in early 2011 Credit: DFDS

Rosslare Europort user DFDS is to trail a new passenger ferry service on their existing freight route to Dunkirk, which began sailings early last year between Ireland and France. The inaugural passenger sailing is to take place this Friday, 5 August. 

For the first time, DFDS will offer tourists a direct link between South-East Ireland and Northern France (see Irish minister opens terminal). The new service will be focussed on car and motorhome traffic at launch, with limited capacity to complement our freight traffic.

Chris Parker, route director, said: "We launched a freight service between Rosslare and Dunkirk in January 2021, and it has proved extremely popular with customers looking to move goods between Ireland and continental Europe without the need to use the land-bridge via the UK. Adding passenger services to the route will further strengthen the service, and we expect strong demand from holidaymakers in Ireland and Northern Europe. Rosslare is at the heart of the 'sunny southeast' and a short drive from Dublin and Cork, making it a popular destination. Irish customers will benefit from a direct link into the heart of Europe."

Crossings on the route will take 24 hours, with the overnight sailings allowing customers to relax and recharge before driving on to their holiday destination. Against a looming summer of disruption at airports, the launch of the new route offers a stress-free alternative for holidaymakers looking to get away. No luggage restrictions apply when you take your car to Europe by ferry.

There will be up to five sailings per week from Rosslare to Dunkirk, and prices for a car and four passengers with a standard cabin onboard will start from €550, with all meals included.

As Afloat reported last week, DFDS has acquired an Irish haulier to compliment and expand the ferry's firm's logistic operations, though the acquisition is subject to regulatory competition clearance. 

Published in Rosslare Europort
Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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About Rosslare Europort

2021 sees Rosslare Europort hitting a new record with a total of 36 shipping services a week operating from the port making it one of the premier Irish ports serving the European Continent. Rosslare Europort is a gateway to Europe for the freight and tourist industries. It is strategically located on the sunny south-east coast of Ireland.

Rosslare is within a 90-minute driving radius of major Irish cities; Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Rosslare Europort is a RoRo, RoPax, offshore and bulk port with three RoRo berths with a two-tier linkspan, we also have a dedicated offshore bulk berth.

Exports in Rosslare Europort comprise mainly of fresh products, food, pharmaceuticals, steel, timber and building supplies. While imports are largely in the form of consumer goods such as clothes, furniture, food, trade vehicles, and electronics.

The entire Europort is bar-swept to 7.2 meters, allowing unrestricted access to vessels with draughts up to 6.5 metres. Rosslare Europort offers a comprehensive service including mooring, stevedoring and passenger-car check-in for RoRo shipping lines. It also provides facilities for offshore, dry bulk and general cargo.

The port currently has twice-daily round services to the UK and direct services to the continent each day. Rosslare Europort has a fleet of Tugmasters service, fork-lift trucks, tractors and other handling equipment to cater for non-standard RoRo freight.