Folkestone - Boulogne ferry

The Folkestone - Boulogne was a former Sealink and Hoverspeed route. A Ro/Ro linkspan was built at Folkestone in 1972 allowing modern ferries to berth. Until the construction of the Channel Tunnel, and A16 and A26 Motorways, coupled with the opening up of Eastern Europe following the fall of the Berlin Wall and associated changes in transport patterns, Boulogne was in years past a more attractive port than Calais, with better rail links to Paris.

However, the port lost a lot of custom when the Channel Tunnel opened, and profitability was also reduced by the ceasing of duty free between EU states and a reduction in 'booze cruises' with onboard sales. The opening of the A20 dual carriageway to Dover docks as an extension of the M20 further served to increase the convenience to motorists of Dover as a port.

In 1991, Stena Line (who had acquired Sealink a year earlier) closed the route to concentrate on Dover - Calais, leaving Hoverspeed as the only operator with its catamaran service.

Hoverspeed finally axed the route in its entirity late in the year 2000, meaning that there were no further scheduled services from Folkestone.

There has been subsequent interest in reopening a ferry crossing from Folkestone; however, it has not been calculated to be profitable, with the Channel Tunnel and ferries from Dover operating nearby.

Routes

British Side

Route	To	Notes
A260	London, Canterbury, Dover (A20, M20)
A2033	Hastings (A259)

French Side

Route	To	Notes
N1	A16, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais, Dunkerque, St Omer, Remis, Paris

Ferries

Name	IMO	Operator	Dates	Notes
St Anselm	7813937	Sealink	1990-1991
Vortigern	6910960	Sealink	1979-1988	Built as a dual purpose rail and ro/ro ferry. Also served on other routes during this period
Hengist	7205063	Sealink Stena Line	1972-1991	Also operated on Folkestone - Calais route during this period. While operating on this route, the Hengist was caught in the great storm of October 1987 and beached without power between Dover and Folkestone.
Horsa	7205075	Sealink Stena Line	1972-1991	Also operated on Folkestone - Calais route during this period.

Links

• Folkestone Harbour History