DFDS Seaways and LD Lines have revealed plans to operate joint ferry routes between Dover and Calais, which would create 300 jobs.

The ferry companies announced their intention days after SeaFrance went into liquidation following the ruling of a French court that a €200m bail-out of the ferry operator was illegal.

DFDS Seaways and LD Lines said in a joint statement: “We can confirm that we have continued to pursue opportunities to establish a new route between Dover and Calais,”

“Our intention is to operate two ships under the French flag to be manned with French seafarers.

“To open a new route, and provide an attractive service for customers, we aim to hire about 300 staff and expect to be able to start the recruitment process soon. The new route would be operated by vessels currently owned by the joint venture or vessels available on the market.”

“Our joint venture is still in a unique position to create a number of sustainable French jobs, including the deployment of French-flagged ships,” the statement said.