?Manuel?, an employee of Fred Olsen S.A based in Spain, commented on this blog yesterday that there was going to be a press conference on Friday morning (today) with regards to the proposed Euroferries route to Boulogne which has been ?imminent? for the past 6 months or so. This has now been confirmed by saying ?We?ll have live coverage of a big announcement at Ramsgate port from 3pm today. Stay tuned!?
Fingers are crossed that this will be good news and as this seems a joint press conference from both Fred Olsen and Euroferries I would expect we will be getting an update on the Bonanza Express (owned by Fred Olsen), but if you want to read the daily goings-on from those in the know then it might be worth looking at the 300-odd on-going comments in this post I wrote in January when Euroferries initially announced their plan.
Update: Thanet Extra ? Major Euroferries announcement due at Ramsgate port.
Update: There has actually been an update on the Euroferries website!
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet_extra/news/2009/july/31/port_announcement_due.aspx?lang=en-gb
?A new high speed ferry service linking Ramsgate to the French port of Boulogne will start later this year, it has been confirmed.
Euroferries? long awaited arrival was confirmed at a press conference at the Port of Ramsgate this afternoon.
A new catamaran is expected to make its first cross channel sailing in September.
Thanet council officials, who attended today?s announcement alongside Euroferries bosses, said they were ?thrilled? by the agreement.
Dr Stephen Ladyman, the MP for South Thanet, added: ?Euroferries? arrival could bring many jobs and plenty of tourism and provide a boost to the local economy.
?It?s always been my wish that we could secure a new service from Ramsgate that would guarantee the future of the port.
?The two ferry services that we now have, coupled with the offshore wind farm projects, should ensure this facility soon starts making money for local people.?
TransEuropa Ferries, previously the port?s only ferry operator, already runs several daily trips between Ramsgate and Ostend.?