Press Release

• The new freight service will commence on 1 June 2021.
• The service will offer one crossing per day and carry up to 165 units per crossing.

DFDS is launching a new freight service between Calais and Sheerness in the UK which will start on 1 June and will offer one daily crossing in each direction between the two ports. It will be operated by the Gothia Seaways, which can carry up to 165 unaccompanied cargo units (trailers or containers without drivers).

The port of Sheerness, which is part of the London Medway community of Peel ports, is located in North Kent and benefits from its proximity to the M25 orbital motorway around London (approximately 40km closer to the M25 than Dover). It operates 24 hours a day and is fully open/accessible seven days a week. This flexibility offers customers congestion-free access to drop off and pick up trailers, with no parking charges for the first 48 hours. The new route expands DFDS' existing network of services between the UK and Europe and meets the growing demand for unaccompanied freight services. The company operates a pan-European network of 27 ferry routes, offering excellent connectivity to mainland Europe.

In parallel, DFDS continues to invest in its Dover routes with a brand new freight and passenger vessel, the Côte d'Opale, joining the Calais-Dover route in July this year, increasing capacity on the route and enhancing the passenger experience on board its fleet. Wayne Bullen, Freight Sales Director at DFDS, said: "We are very pleased to add a new unaccompanied freight service to the extensive network of routes DFDS already offers. Sheerness benefits from excellent road links with close proximity to the M25 orbital ring, which is ideal for freight destined for the London and Midlands area."

"Sheerness promises to be a superb 'partner port', with an ambitious plan to develop its services over the next decade. We also continue to build on our partnership with the Port of Calais and are delighted to extend our services to this port which marks the completion of its multi-million pound expansion project."

"The launch of a new route in the current climate is a strong indication of our commitment to our customers, our confidence in the popularity of DFDS services and an investment that will help boost the UK and French economies. It aligns with our business strategy, helping us to expand our freight network and offer solutions that help our customers, communities and our own business to grow."

Jean-Marc Puissesseau, Chairman of the Port of Calais, said: "We are very proud that DFDS, Europe's leading Ro/Ro operator, has chosen the Port of Calais to offer its new unaccompanied route to the UK. This is a clear sign of confidence in the port's ability to create value for our customers. This new service will integrate seamlessly with the rail motorways operating in Calais from Italy, Spain and the south of France. Richard Goffin, London Medway's port director, said: "We are delighted to welcome a new unaccompanied freight service from DFDS. This is the first ferry service since the Olau line ceased operations in 1994. Over the past year we have Brexit-proofed a number of our ports, including London Medway, increasing resilience to handle additional cargo to reduce delays and maximise efficiency for customers to provide a more attractive proposition and entry point to the UK compared to other southern ports. Our strategic location offers proximity to market advantages, and we continue to move forward with planned investment in our people, processes and technology, creating new opportunities for our customers through diversification, as well as creating up to 100 direct and indirect local jobs."

"The combination of challenges posed by Brexit and Covid-19, has exposed drivers and transport companies to supply chain vulnerabilities around the world. This has led many cargo owners and carriers to re-evaluate their transport plans and choose different ports, shipping methods and switch modes of transport to preserve supply chains. Given the current restrictions surrounding international travel, tighter border controls and COVID-19 threats, one of the most notable benefits is that using driverless methods reduces the risk of delays associated with these particular challenges."

"Our Ro/Ro facilities can accommodate unaccompanied freight, giving Ro/Ro operators the opportunity to benefit from uncongested access to London and the South East via London Medway, saving them sailing time. The announcement of this new service is indicative of this development and the growing demand for unaccompanied freight services to keep pace with the changing market and the changing demands of cargo owners, carriers and shipping lines. This new service will utilise capacity partially enabled by Department for Transport (DfT) resilience funding in 2019."

DFDS will provide further information including a detailed sailing schedule for the route shortly before the service begins. For more information or to book, freight customers can visit www.dfds.fr.

-Fin-

For more information, please contact

Hopscotch Europe

Carla ÉCHÈNE +353 15556 97 26 cechene@hopscotch.eu

About DFDS:

With a network of 30 routes and a fleet of 50 vessels, DFDS is the largest integrated transport and logistics company in Northern Europe. DFDS offers first-class facilities and service, as well as the widest range of ferry routes in Northern Europe.

The Group's activities in France include a freight service between Marseille and Tunis, as well as port operations in Calais, Dunkirk, and Dieppe. In 2020, DFDS was named "Best Ferry Company in the World" for the 10th consecutive year (2011-2020) and "Best Ferry Company in Europe" for the 9th consecutive year (2012-2020).

DFDS operates up to 54 daily services between France and Dover from Dunkirk and Calais. The DFDS network also includes a passenger and freight service between Dieppe and Newhaven offering up to 6 crossings daily. A significant social player, DFDS employs 1,000 French staff and operates five vessels under the French flag. For more information about DFDS, or to find out the latest fares and offers on our UK routes, visit www.dfds.fr.