Irish Ferries entered the Dover-Calais route today (Tuesday) offering competition to established lines P&O Ferries and DFDS.
The refurbished ferry Isle of Inishmore hasbeen deployed on the 90-minute short seacrossing between the UK and France with up to ten sailings a day.
Facilities include an upgraded club class lounge, revamped passenger areas and free wi-fi. Fares start at £69 for a car and up to nine passengers
Managing director Andrew Sheen said: “Our newly-launched route between Dover and Calais brings even more choice for freight customers who can now experience our outstanding service while travelling between the UK and France.
“We’re delighted to bring a little bit of Ireland to this route, and after months of travel limitations, we know that people are very eager to see family and friends, re-ignite business relations, and escape their everyday and take a much-needed holiday.
“We are in the business of connectivity and want to enable those special memories to be created once travel is permitted again.”
Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister added: “We offer a very warm welcome to Irish Ferries and are delighted to see their operations commence from the UK’s busiest international ro-ro port.
“There has been considerable work by Port of Dover and all parties associated with this new service launch to get prepared for this day, and we are pleased to see all of those efforts come to fruition.”