Irish Ferries' move into the competitive Dover-Calais route is where the operator now has tickets on sale, reports KentOnline, in addition pictures released to give a first glimpse as to what to expect.

The new service launches next Tuesday, June 29.

As Afloat reported, the Dublin-based firm announced in March it was to go head-to-head with the likes of existing ferry firms DFDS and P&O on the short cross-Channel route.

The firm will be operating the refurbished Isle of Inishmore ferry on the route - a vessel which had previously been used between Wales and Ireland.

Prices will start at £69 for a car and up to nine passengers - which is similar in price to the other ferries operating the route.

For further reading and pictorial of interior passenger facilities click here. 

Only last month, Afloat also highlighted that rival operators, P&O and DFDS joined forces in developing reduced freight waiting times in advance of Irish Ferries debut.  

In addition the announcement by ICG, parent company of Irish Ferries, to launch the service, has led to unions on either side of the Strait of Dover to claim that the new competitor is aggressively low-cost and this will seriously damage existing services.