(edit title) Last ferry from Harwich to Denmark 29/09/2014 The fInal curtain Options

[shadylady]

Sadly for those who travel with animals, the sea route from Harwich to Esbjerg will cease from 29th of September 2014.
Rising fuel costs, declining freight levels etc have contributed to the demise of this ferry route popular with animal owners. The final nail in the coffin has been the increased cost of complying with the new sulphur environmental laws being introduced from 1st January 2015. The service has been running since 1875 when Esbjerg port was constructed.
It must have been a vastly different world. Its hard to believe that was 139 years ago.
I for one will to sad to see it go. Avoiding the drive through Germany was such a pleasure, and its a reduction in choice for travellers to Scandanavia. Its the end of an era and no doubt will effect the respective ports badly.

[Snood]

That is a shame. We?re holidaying in Scotland this year and will be using this ferry to get there. It was already bad enough that the Gothenburg-Newcastle ferry closed down in 2006.

In most cases flying if by far my preferred option, as it is with most people. and our preference unfortunately has this effect. We appreciate the faster travel but we also now have to accept that this convenience comes at the cost of other services. The ferry is useful... just not useful enough for people to choose it over flying in the majority of cases.

[Lingonberry]

I wonder if there another route for the lorries of removal companies or will they have to get across the channel and then drive all the way? I would think that would put the cost of moving up which will unfortunately affect me. Also if you are not keen on flying, has anyone tried getting a bus from Malmo or Copenhagen to London? If so, what was the journey like?

[Hallander]

Train of course. http://www.seat61.com/Denmark.htm#London to Copenhagen by Harwich-Hoek ferry

Took 24 hours when I did it 50 years ago. Via Harwich-Hook.

[Hisingen]

Svenska LLoyd, The Wilson England Sweden Line, Tor Line then the Danes took over to cover the Gbg-UK route with DFDS, and then that, too, ceased to run. Then for a while we had a chance from Bergen to Newcastle with DFDS, then that too stopped, and now - again the Danes cutting off the last connection. We have so much to thank those Danes for - I don't think.
At a guess, Stena Line has no plans for anything to cover the route either. Stena only likes routes that bring in cash - even if they have to use 'Bordershop' tactics from Gbg to Fredrikshaven. It makes you wonder how long the Hoek van Holland route will be available.
I guess folks don't travel with their cars anything like as much as they used to, and with Ryanair running their bring-your-own-seat cheap flights the competition is too great. Maybe before long it will be the 'DIY' chunnel route that is the last contact between England and Europe.
That is unless we get around to waterproofing our cars, obtaining navigating qualifications, and then putting an outboard on the back bumper, and driving off the quay at Calais and driving ashore in Dover - - - - -

Shipping companies just do not want us to travel between Sweden and 'home', more's the pity.

[Willy]

I think another part of the equation, apart from the rise of cheap air travel, is that the roads nowadays are much better than in the heyday of the North Sea ferry lines. You can today drive on motorways from Stockholm to Hoek van Holland or Calais. It didn't use to be that way. And there are fixed links over the Channel, the Sound and the Great Belt. The Fehmarn Belt tunnel will be there in a decade's time.

[Hisingen]

I agree - up to a point - regarding the road network, having travelled most of the ways available since moving here in 1960. But there has also been quite an increase in fuel prices. Back in 60-61 it was 95

[Lingonberry]

Train of course. http://www.seat61.com/Denmark.htm#London to Copenhagen by Harwich-Hoek ferry. Took 24 hours when I did it 50 years ago. Via Harwich-Hook.

Thanks for that link - very useful information. Eurostar plus Cologne sleeper looks better than the bus all the way.

[Hallander]

Added memory. Sleeping in a train compartment going was no fun. I had a berth on the overnight ferry coming back.

[Willy]

But I haven't read anything regarding infrastructure on the German side in regards to updating their rail network between Puttgarden and Hamburg?

Funny you asked; the state government of Schleswig-Holstein presented the results of their planning process on Tuesday this week. The treaty with Denmark obliges them to have an electrified line finished in time for the opening of the tunnel and to have a double-track line some years later. It has been widely discussed whether the present line through the seaside resort towns north of L?beck should be upgraded or whether a new line should be built close to the A1 motorway (or both). The state govenment has now decided on the latter option and closing the old line. It seems that they are still planning for only 160 km/h, though.

[Nicklouse]

I wonder if there another route for the lorries of removal companies or will they have to get across the channel and then drive all the way? I would think that would put the ... (show full quote)

I wonder if there another route for the lorries of removal companies or will they have to get across the channel and then drive all the way? I would think that would put the cost of moving up which will unfortunately affect me. Also if you are not keen on flying, has anyone tried getting a bus from Malmo or Copenhagen to London? If so, what was the journey like? ... (hide full quote)

the freight ships still run Goteborg to Immingham and Tillbury so no problems for the movers.

[trumanshow]

Oh! I am getting that ferry next week. I shall thank my lucky stars. Although when I weighed up the pros and cons it was actually cheaper to drive down to the hook of holland and get the ferry to Harwich. (

[essem]

Sad news. I use this service every year driving the family back to UK. I alternate using the boat service and driving through Europe. Last time I checked, which was a few years ago now - the DFDS freight service GBG to UK did take a few private cars but only had limited number of cabins. And they changed the rules a few years back regarding kids - no children under 5.

[shadylady]

More bad news for travellers from the Uk to Sweden.
The last DFDS freight ferry from Tilbury is on the 28th October docking in Gothenburg on the 30th. I was just about to make a booking as a passenger. Anyone else affected.? It seems to have been kept very quiet.

[shadylady]

Has anyone heard if Regina Line Denmark are actually running a service from
On this route from Easter three times a week. There was a request to email
on their website to email th in support of retaining the route. Email quoting "ENGLAND BOAT"
Or ENGLANDB?DEN
Email
[email protected]
Here's hoping