The first 2 of 3 ferries to be deployed on the new “Brexit Buster” Rosslare (Ireland) - Dunkirk (Dunkerque, France) route of DFDS Seaways have been named.
MS Kerry (IMO 9243447, fka "Stena Egeria") was previously used on Brittany Ferries' route Rosslare- Bilbao Spain. The 2001-built vessel will be joined by Visby (operated by DESTINATION GOTLAND). The identity of the 3rd ship is expected to be soon confirmed.
DFDS Kerry ferry is already on chartered by DFDS to provide additional capacity on the Kiel (Germany) - Klaipeda (Lithuania) route. Both vessels had been named in speculation after the announcement of the new route in late-November 2020.
While Kerry is popular in Irish shipping circles, Visby is a new ship to both the English Channel and the Irish Sea. Built by Guangzhou Shipyard China in 2003, the vessel was originally designed for the Sweden service Visby (Gotland Island) - Nynashamn/Oskarshamn. Configured as a day ferry, the ship also has 119 passenger cabins, while MS Kerry has 79 staterooms.
MS Visby has been designed to sail at up to 28 knots, though it is unlikely DFDS will utilize the speed given the high fuel consumption to achieve it. Rederi AB Gotland earlier announced Visby had been chartered until May 2021 with the option of an extension.
MS Kerry is expected to become the 4th Visentini series Ro-Pax ship in service between Europe and Ireland when she starts the service. The other vessels are Brittany Ferries' ship Connemara, Irish Ferries' ship Epsilon, Stena Line’s ship Stena Horizon.
The Rosslare-Dunkirk service is expected to commence in January once the UK leaves the EU transition arrangements.