Ferry firms DFDS and Moby have agreed to exchange vessels with each other next month in a bid to improve customer experience and capacity.
DFDS will gain two passenger ferries called Moby Wonder and Moby Aki, built in 2001 and 2005 respectively, which will operate its Newcastle to Amsterdam route.
Moby will acquire two passenger ferries – King Seaways and Princess Seaways.
All the vessels will be renamed once they join the fleet.
The ferries are expected to be delivered in the second half of October and refurbished.
DFDS will charter King Seaways and Princess Seaways until January and February 2020.
The Copenhagen-based firm’s freight capacity is expected to increase to around 40% on a full-year basis and car capacity increasing around 5% on a full-year basis.
Kasper Moos, DFDS vice-president and head of business unit short routes and passengers, said: “The new ferries are ideally suited to our Newcastle to Amsterdam route.
“They will provide our passengers with modern onboard facilities and with more car-deck capacity, the new tonnage will allow DFDS to increase passenger revenue by fulfilling the growing demand for high yield car passengers.”