class ferry from Stena RoRo in order to replace Calais Seaways. The new vessel is named Côte D’Opale, or in English, Opal Coast. The vessel was delivered in May 2021, entering service on 4 August 2021 after sea trials in April, and a lengthy delivery voyage from Weihai, China, where she was built. On the same day as the Côte d'Opale was phased into service, the Calais Seaways was retired from DFDS service. Shortly afterwards she sailed to Dunkerque East, where she was laid up. Irish Ferries Shortly after the Calais Seaways was laid up, speculation and rumours started circling that the ship was sold to Irish Ferries and was to be renamed Isle of Innisfree. Speculation continued throughout August, September and October and into early November without confirmation. However, the speculation came to a close when on November 4, 2021, Irish Continental Group announced the ship's purchase from DFDS, alongside confirming the ship will be renamed to Isle of Innisfree. Shortly after the purchase, the ship was reflagged from Le Havre in France to Limassol, Cyprus, in line with the Irish Ferries fleet. On November 17 she was moved into a floating dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque for works before entry into service in December 2021, complementing the Isle of Inishmore. The Innisfree then departed Damen Dunkerque on December 14 early in the morning, arriving in Dover after anchoring off Calais and awaiting a harbour pilot just outside of Dover. The ship then started service the next morning for Irish Ferries, with the first commercial passengers sailing on December 16. References External links Norman Spirit from LD Lines' official website Photographs of the MS Norman Spirit MS Norman Spirit on Ship Blog Calais Seaways & Cote d'Opale comparison Isle of Innisfree | Dover Calais information about the ship on Irish Ferries' website Ferries of the United Kingdom Ferries of France 1991 ships Transeuropa Ferries