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Back in business on the Channel
[ February 10, 2016 // Chris ]The former MyFerryLink vessel Rodin is back in service with her new owners, DFDS, on the Dover-Calais route as the Côte des Dunes.
She and her sister ship, the Berlioz were at the centre of a bitter dispute involving workers at the former Eurotunnel-owned line. Former MyFerryLink workers occupied the vessels while they were laid up and they were systematically vandalised, necessitating a full internal refit before they could go back into service with their new owners after courts ruled that Eurotunnel could not operate water-borne ferry services, forcing it to sell the operation to the Danish-owned ship operator.
The former Berlioz is due to enter service as the Côte des Flandres in the week of 22 February. The two refurbished ships will join Calais Seaways on the service, helping to boost DFDS’ Dover-Calais service to up to 30 crossings per day. Taking Into account its three ferries on the Dover-Dunkirk route, DFDS now has the largest fleet on the Dover Strait, with up to 54 daily sailings to the two French ports.
The Côte des Dunes has been extensively renovated with numerous cafes and bars,including the Road Kings area for commercial drivers, including showers, a restaurant and a quiet lounge area for drivers .
Malo Seaways, which is currently chartered by DFDS and sails alongside Calais Seaways on the Dover-Calais service, will temporarily serve as the third ship on the route while the Calais Seaways undergoes routine maintenance and will then be returned to its owner.