DFDS Bags Five-Year Contract to Run Newhaven-Dieppe Ferry Route
DFDS has just secured a brand-new five-year deal to operate the vital ferry link between Newhaven and Dieppe. The contract was confirmed on Tuesday, 18 October, ensuring the route stays in trusted hands.
Protecting Jobs and Boosting Services
Jean-Claude Charlo, Head of French Organisation and Route Director at DFDS, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the contract to continue operating the important ferry link between Newhaven and Dieppe. This secures hundreds of local DFDS jobs and enables us to continue our ambitious plans to invest in the route.”
He added that passengers can expect big improvements including fresh new branding and an enhanced schedule. Frequency will increase during the summer peak, giving travellers more options. Charlo promised a clear vision for the route’s future and said DFDS is excited to deliver on it over the next five years.
New Contract Kicks Off in 2023
The fresh contract begins on 1 January 2023, with DFDS operating on behalf of the French authority Syndicat Mixte de Promotion de l’Activité Transmanche (SMPAT).
About the Newhaven-Dieppe Route
DFDS has run the Sussex-to-Normandy ferry since 2012 and is now entering its third contract period. The current schedule runs:
- Two sailings daily between October and April
- Three sailings each way daily during the busy summer months from May to September
This new deal promises more frequent crossings and investment, making DFDS the ferry operator to watch on this popular Channel route.
