Transeuropa
Transeuropa Ferries
Transeuropa Ferries operates a ferry service between Ramsgate in Kent and Ostend, West Flanders, in Belgium. The company operates up to six ferries on the route, transporting mostly freight vehicles. However, in 2000 some of the scheduled sailings started to carry cars and passengers. There are four sailings per day, and the fares are fixed, so there are no price spikes during school holidays and other peak times.
Ostend is not a great gateway into France, where there are plenty of other operators available to choose from, but the route is handy for passengers intending to holiday in Belgium. The fare is currently fixed at £112 return in Summer (2008) for a car and up to nine passengers.
History
The previous provider on this route, Sally Line, set up by Silja in Finland, terminated its activities between Ostend and Ramsgate due to fierce competition on November 20th 1998, only six months after starting a passenger service over the Channel alongside its freight service.
Shortly afterwards, TSL (Transeurope Shipping Line) took over Sally Line and concentrated on its freight services alone. During 2000, TSL was restructured into TransEuropa Ferries and TransEuropa Freight.
