Before it was absorbed into DFDS, Norfolkline operated several important ferry routes connecting the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. These services supported both freight and passenger transport and played a significant role in European short sea shipping during the 1990s and 2000s.
Below is an overview of the main ferry routes that Norfolkline operated before its rebranding and integration into DFDS Seaways.
🇬🇧 Dover to Dunkerque (France)
Status: Now operated by DFDS (See: Dover to Dunkirk)
This was Norfolkline’s most well-known passenger route. It offered a quieter alternative to the busy Dover to Calais crossing. Norfolkline used modern vessels specifically built for this connection, and the journey typically took around two hours.
🇬🇧 Liverpool to Dublin (Ireland)
Status: Now freight-focused under DFDS
This route linked Northern England to Ireland’s capital. It was especially popular with freight operators and offered a stable overnight connection across the Irish Sea.
🇬🇧 Heysham to Belfast (Northern Ireland)
Status: Now part of the DFDS freight network
This was a reliable overnight crossing between England’s northwest coast and Northern Ireland, used primarily by commercial vehicles and unaccompanied trailers.
🇳🇱 Rotterdam (Vlaardingen) to Felixstowe (UK)
Status: Discontinued after DFDS acquisition
This was a freight-only route between the Netherlands and the east coast of England. It was commonly used by logistics companies seeking a direct and fast link.
🇳🇱 Rotterdam (Vlaardingen) to Immingham (UK)
Status: No longer active
Another freight route, this one served the Humber region and offered an alternative to Felixstowe. It was important for transporting goods to and from Northern England.
🇧🇪 Zeebrugge (Belgium) to Killingholme (UK)
Status: Integrated into DFDS freight operations
Zeebrugge served as a key mainland port for Norfolkline. This connection to Killingholme handled high volumes of commercial trailers and cargo.
End of the Norfolkline Brand
In 2008, Maersk sold Norfolkline to DFDS. Over the following two years, the Norfolkline name was gradually removed from ships and route information. By 2011, the brand had completely disappeared. DFDS retained many of the routes and vessels but operated them under its own name.
Several well-known Norfolkline ships, including the Maersk Dunkerque, Maersk Delft, and Maersk Dover, were repainted and continued sailing with DFDS. Some vessels were retired or sold, but the infrastructure and routes remained in active use.