NORFOLKLINE has ordered two new ships for the Dover-Dunkerque route.

The order has been placed with Samsung Heavy Industries for two 22,500 gross tonne ships able to carry freight and passenger traffic.

The first ship is due to enter service in the summer of 2005 and the second is due in November or December of the same year.

They will be 185 metres long and 28 metres wide, and at 25 knots will be able to make the crossing in one hour 50 minutes.

“The combination of increased speed and the effective loading and unloading lay-out will increase our capacity compared to our current three chartered vessels,” said Derek Sloan, managing director of Norfolkline.

“This is needed as this route has shown rapid growth over the past years, which is expected to continue.”