As Afloat reported earlier today, the maiden sailing of DFDS new freight ferry ro-ro route linking Rosslare Europort and Dunkirk, France on mainland Europe, took place as scheduled this afternoon, writes Jehan Ashmore.

A fully booked Optima Seaways, a 120 freight unit capacity ropax built by Visentini Cantiere Navale, in Italy, departed from the Wexford ferryport at 1400hrs on the near 24 hour route. The ropax was carrying trucks, their drivers and un-accompanied trailers.

The DFDS route offers 6 sailings a week. Such an intense timetable on the new Ireland-France route required two more ropax vessels chartered in by the Danish based operator.

The launch of this ro-ro route, the first to connect these ports, transits through the entire English Channel to Dunkirk on the North Sea. The port's proximity to Paris, the BeNeLux nations and neighbouring Germany provides Irish industry and hauliers alike a vital trading route to markets and avoids the UK land-bridge and associated new post-Brexit scene of customs checks and clearance.

In addition the alternative of this historic new direct freight ferry route avoids crossing both the Irish Sea and notably via the Port of Dover which has endured severe truck congestion recently, partly due to Covid-19 restrictions. Noting, Optima Seaways has single occupancy Covid-19 cabins for truck drivers.  

Also previously highlighted on Afloat, was the operators second sailing from Rosslare to Dunkirk which sees Kerry, also of the same 'Visentini' ropax series which is due to depart tonight at 2300.

The final member of DFD freight ferry trio is the fast-ropax Visby, a vessel redeployed from Sweden-Gotland service in the Baltic Sea, and which is to make the first inbound sailing as the Chinese constructed ship is currently at the north France port.