LD Lines and Transeuropa Ferries are to vessel-share on the Ramsgate-Ostend route from next month.

The agreement will see Transeuropa Ferries take a long-term charter of LD Lines' Norman Spirit, with LD Lines taking some space.

The Norman Spirit, which operates on LD's Dover-Boulogne service, will replace one of Transeuropa's five ships, offering increased freight capacity, when it enters service in the second half of March.

Dominique Penel, general manager of Transeuropa Ferries, said the company would continue to build its focus on freight traffic, while LD Lines would concentrate on developing the passenger business.