The capacity reduction coincides with DFDS, starting tomorrow 1 October, entering into a space-charter agreement with TT-Line on the Klaipeda–Karlshamn route operated by both parties, the Klaipeda–Travemünde route operated by DFDS, and the Klaipeda–Trelleborg route operated by TT-Line.

The agreement between the two competing operators covers both freight and passengers – the latter, however, only from 1 November on the Klaipeda–Travemünde and Klaipeda–Trelleborg routes. Conversely, the tonnage reshuffle brings a slight increase in lanemetre capacity on the Rosslare–Dunkirk route, and above all, an almost doubling of cabin capacity on the nearly 24-hour crossing.

The VICTORIA SEAWAYS, built in 2009 with 2,620 lanemetres and accommodation for 900 passengers, now operates alongside its sister ship ATHENA SEAWAYS between Ireland and France, while the OPTIMA SEAWAYS, built in 1999 with 2,300 lanemetres and a 327-passenger capacity, sails together with LUNA SEAWAYS between Lithuania and Sweden.

LUNA SEAWAYS is one of DFDS’s two RoPax newbuilds from 2021/22, purpose-built for the Baltic market, specifically the Klaipeda–Kiel and Klaipeda–Karlshamn routes. LUNA SEAWAYS’ sister ship AURA SEAWAYS sails between Klaipeda and Kiel together with REGINA SEAWAYS (a sister ship to VICTORIA SEAWAYS and ATHENA SEAWAYS).

TT-Line is currently using the ROBIN HOOD, built in 1995 with 2,394 lanemetres and 366 passengers, on the Klaipeda–Karlshamn route.

© Shippax