A ferry service between Dover and Boulogne is under threat.

Employees are braced for a decision from LD Lines on whether to continue using the 22,152 gt Norman Trader ship which was introduced on the route only last May.

The company currently operates two ferries from Dover to Boulogne, the other being the Norman Trader’s sister ship Norman Bridge.

But the latter is being moved away from Dover by the end of this month to operate on a new service between France and Spain, leaving the Norman Trader in a fog of uncertainty.

French-owned LD Lines does not own these ships, both being on time charter from a ship management agency with their crews part contracted on the agency’s payroll.

Both vessels’ crews have a combination of nationalities. Their deck and engine personnel are paid by the charter agency, while the catering crew are LD Line employees

LD Lines has been given an extended deadline until the end of this week to decide on whether to charter alternative tonnage for its Dover-Boulogne route.

It has until August 23 to reach a decision.

Bosses at LD Lines were at pains this week to emphasise that no decision had yet been taken, saying it was still “examining options”.

In the meantime, all passengers booked on the Dover-Boulogne service will be carried on the Norman Trader, or provided with travel alternatives, including the company’s other routes.

For more details, see this week's Dover Mercury.