Award-winning ferry operator DFDS has announced the appointment of leading ferry and cruise ship design consultancy, SMC Design, to redevelop its catering outlets on board its eastern Channel routes.

The redesign will commence when the first Dover-Dunkirk vessel enters dry-dock on January 7th, with plans to complete the entirety of the fleet in just five weeks.

The £1,800,000 investment, equating to £600,000 per ship, will see the relaxed food and beverage outlet revitalised to create the Lighthouse Café, a fresh and modern European coffee shop experience.

Steve Newbery, on-board commercial director at DFDS, commented: “We’re delighted to be working with the prestigious SMC Design consultancy, on a project designed to offer a new, contemporary dining outlet for our passengers.

“The decision to revitalize the current catering concept on board our Eastern Channel routes follows passenger feedback, something we pride ourselves in listening and responding to.

“In an effort to boost passengers experience on-board, the Lighthouse Café will include a revised menu, recycling stations and a re-vamped children’s play area, all underpinned by a new and vibrant colour scheme.”

The project with SMC Design will continue over the next three-years and will expand to include a £180,000 investment and upgrade to the Horizon restaurants on-board the Dover-Calais fleet, with work commencing early 2019.

This re-design contributes to DFDS’ ongoing investment in its fleet which includes a chartered combined freight and passenger ferry (ro-pax) to be delivered in 2021 for deployment on the English Channel routes.