Regie voor Maritiem Transport

Regie voor Maritiem Transport

Industry	Passenger transportation
Founded	1846
Defunct	1997
Headquarters	Ostend, Belgium
Area served	English Channel

Oostende Lines Logo

Regie voor Maritiem Transport was the Belgian state-owned ferry service and operated ferries on the Ostend-Dover route under the name Oostende Lines. For the last few years until its demise in February 1997, the ferries from Ostend went to Ramsgate instead of Dover, in partnership with Sally Line. The demise of RMT was a direct result of the opening in 1994 of the Channel Tunnel.

History

On 28 February 1997 the Belgian State closed an important and historical period concerning transport of passengers from and to the UK. The first official crossing ever under the Belgian State took place in 1846, a history spanning 151 years.

In addition to traditional car ferries, RMT also operated two Boeing Jetfoils (for foot-passengers only) that reduced crossing times from 4 hours to 100 minutes. In response to the announcement of the Channel Tunnel project, RMT ordered one of the first cross-channel super ferries. The Prins Filip cost $100,000,000, and at 28,828 GRT was the largest ferry operating on the short sea routes of the English Channel from 1991 to 2001 (with the introduction of the Seafrance Rodin).

External links

• History of RMT
• Prins Filip