Norfolkline's Newest Ferry, Maersk Dover, Is Officially Named

The newest cross-Channel ferry, Norfolkline's Maersk Dover, was officially named on Saturday by Janet Ladyman, wife of Transport Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman.

The ceremony took place at the cruise terminal at Dover's Western Docks, and among the VIP guests were Dover MP Gwyn Prosser, Mayor Cllr Jan Tranter, chairman of Dover District Council Cllr Pat Heath, top executives from Norfolkline, Chairman of Dover Harbour Board Robert Dibble and representatives from Samsung Heavy Industries from Korea, where the ship was built.

Mrs Ladyman has become the ship's Godmother and received gifts from the shipping company and the ship's builders.

Maersk Dover arrived at the port in July, the third and last of Norfolkline's new ferries on the Dover-Dunkerque route.

Each ship has capacity for 200 cars, 780 passengers and up to 120 freight vehicles. The crossing time is one hour 14 minutes, and there are 24 sailings daily.

Pictured at the naming ceremony are Thomas Woldbye, Managing Director Norfolkline, Janet Ladyman, Dr Stephen Ladyman, and Mr Woldbye's wife Hanne.