by Trevor Sturgess

The fast ferry service between Dover and Boulogne, recently launched by LD Lines, has become the first to use the French port’s 46 million euro terminal which was officially opened at the weekend (September 19).

The freight and passenger-carrying catamaran Norman Arrow, the largest operating on the Channel, was also the first to use a unique, new double lane link-span to load and unload vehicles.

Guests from Kent were among around 300 attending the inauguration of the first phase of a huge maritime transport and logistical centre at the ambitious Channel port.

Called Boulogne Hub Port, because the aim is to establish a hub of diverse activities and international services, the complex will cater for ferries, freight shipping and the fishing industry, as well as having storage and forwarding facilities with road and rail links to deal with importing and exporting throughout Europe.

The link-span can be moved laterally and adjusted to accommodate all types of shipping, and it will be an important tool in the task of developing the port as one of global importance.

The entire Hub Port investment is 240 million euros over 10 years and further development will include a food zone and fish processing centre, a logistics centre for storage, packaging and forwarding, creation of a road-rail terminal, and new hotel and restaurant.

“The new Hub Port represents a significant development for the future of the Port of Boulogne and confirms our determination to regenerate the Port’s activities by becoming a major player in theCorss-Channel ferry transport market, “ said Francis Leroy, President of Boulogne Chamber of Commerce.

A free exhibition about the new terminal is open at Boulogne Chamber of Commerce offices Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturdays from 10am to noon and 3pm to 6pm until October 9.