With the help of VIIA (a subsidiary of SNCF Logistics), DFDS will kick off a link between the seaports of Calais and Sète on 17 May 2022.

The service, offering two weekly round-trips, is to facilitate cargo flows between the UK and Turkey. DFDS has regular connections from Calais to Dover and Sheerness, while from Sète - to Yalova.

"The new line means that DFDS will be able to offer a full complement of rail and sea transport between London and Istanbul, with a transit time of just seven days," the Danish shipping & logistics company said in a press release.

Lars Hoffmann, Head of DFDS's Mediterranean Business Unit, added, "By combining our ferry activities in the Mediterranean and the UK with a new rail service, we're able to offer by far the fastest connection between London and Istanbul. It's a sign of confidence in the popularity of our offerings and a strong indication of our commitment to our customers."

Photo: DFDS