LD Lines began promoting the new Portsmouth-Le Havre ferry Norman Leader more than six months ahead of a planned 28 April route debut. Costing £78 million and nearing completion at the ST Marine yard in Singapore, Norman Leader will carry up to 1,250 passengers with 162 cabins plus a first class lounge with 138 sleeper seats and an additional lounge with 190 recliners. Tailor-made for the route, she has vehicle deck combinations for 67 or 44 trucks and 200 or 400 cars.
LD Lines have yet to indicate whether fast craft Norman Arrow, will be used in 2011. A first season between Portsmouth and Le Havre was suspended in late August 2010.
