Port boost
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THE PLAN to establi.sh Ramsgate as a major new Channel port has received a boost from French shipping company, Charles Schiaffino which this week introduced a daily freight service between Ostend and Ramsgate writes Mike Rutherford.
The MV Schiaffino operates once a day in each direction with outward crossings leaving Ostend at 05.00, (arriving Ramsgate 11.00) and departing Ramsgate 19.00 (arriving Ostend 01.00). The new Schiaffino service is in addition to the company's existing Ostend-Dover operation.
Currently, Sally Line operates a passenger/cargo service between Ramsgate and Dunkirk. Its sister company, Port Sally Management, is undertaking a multimillion pound expansion programme at Ramsgate and the arrival of another ferry operator at the Kent port will speed up that expansion, said Sally managing director Michael Kingshott.
"We are delighted that a second operator will be joining us in Ramsgate, which will help put the port more firmly on the map and enable us to proceed more quickly than anticipated with our develcā pment plans."
Ramsgate's past operational problems have now been cured thanks to a newly constructed breakwater which gives protection to the existing ferry berth. A second berth is planned and ultimately the plan is to reclaim 35 acres of land from the sea, construct a total of three new berths, and build new passenger and wharfage facilities.