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by Graham Tutthill

LD Lines' new high speed ferry, now
officially named Norman Arrow, is on its way to Dover.

The 112-metre wave-piercing catamaran left the shipyard in
Hobart, Tasmania, on Saturday and is expected to arrive in Dover in
three weeks time, having covered 11,726 nautical miles.

The 11,000 gross tonne craft is sailing a course via South West
Australia, Seychelles, Suez Canal and Malta and should be in Dover
on May 23 or 24.

Norman Arrow will become the largest ever fast ferry to operate
on the cross-Channel routes between England and France and the
first-ever freight carrying high speed vessel across the Dover
Straits, when it begins service on LD Lines' Dover-Boulogne route
from May 29.

She is also the world's largest diesel-powered catamaran and the
first Incat built 112-metre craft to operate in Europe.

The agreement between Incat and LD Lines which
was signed in Boulogne on Tuesday.

LD Lines Dover-Boulogne service frequency will increase from the
current two return sailings daily to six, with Norman Arrow
operating an additional four return sailings daily.

All types of tourist traffic will be carried including cars,
caravans, motorhomes, motorcycles, coaches and foot passengers, in
addition to freight.

The new craft will operate at speeds of 40 knots, provide a
crossing time of one hour and has capacity for 1,200 passengers,
417 cars or combination of 195 cars and up to 30 freight
vehicles.

An introductory offer fare is available for the first 2,000
tickets from £27.50 single for a car and four passengers -
based on a 5 day return.