Cross-channel operator Brittany Ferries is to bring every ship back into service and re-open all its routes this summer with an increase in sailings from Plymouth, after two years of Covid disruption.
The French-owned company, which has its UK headquarters in Plymouth, is to restart services from Plymouth and Poole, and increase the number of ships sailing between Ireland and France.
After a winter service hiatus, Britain’s Ocean City will welcome Pont-Aven and Armorique back to Millbay. Pont-Aven will serve two weekly rotations to Santander, previously it was one, starting on March 26, as well as a weekly round-trip to Roscoff in France. Armorique returns to daily rotations two days later, linking Plymouth with Roscoff, the company’s Breton home.
Meanwhile, Brittany Ferries’ first LNG powered vessel will sail for the first time with passengers from Portsmouth to Bilbao on March 27. As well as connecting the UK with Spain, she will run a weekly rotation between Portsmouth and Cherbourg.
LNG power promises far lower emissions in ports and while at sea, cutting particulates and sulphur almost completely and slashing nitrogen dioxide by 90%.
The vessel Bretagne, known as the “grande dame'' of the Brittany Ferries’ fleet, will return to service after nearly 18 months servicing Portsmouth to St Malo, beginning March 26.
The ferry Barfleur was laid up for almost two years during the Covid crisis. However, after a period serving freight on Portsmouth-Caen, she returns to her home route, Cherbourg to Poole, on April 4.
Brittany Ferries said that since Brexit, Ireland has become increasingly important for the company and its freight customers. This has been reflected in the opening of direct trade routes between ports like Le Havre and Rosslare, sometimes described as “the Brexit by-pass”.
Now, the flagship of the fleet Pont-Aven will return to serve French and Irish passengers as well as freight drivers on Roscoff to Cork. And there will be two round trips per week.
“We are delighted to confirm our ships and schedules for the summer season, which will bring renewed optimism and reassurance to staff, customers and port partners,” said Christophe Mathieu chief executive of Brittany Ferries. “The return of favourites like Bretagne at the end of March, coincide with the arrival of our first LNG-powered vessel Salamanca. She is a symbol of our commitment to our customers, our routes and to a more sustainable future. Three sister ships will join her in the years ahead, as fleet renewal gains pace.”
The return to full operations is welcome news for Brittany Ferries which in 2021 needed a 45m euros bailout to compensate for passenger travel restrictions which caused turnover to plummet by 220m euros in 2020 alone. Alongside the grant, the French state also announced a 10m euros waiver for debt contracted with ADEME, the French state institution that helps companies transition to more environmentally friendly practices, and 6m euros of aid from the Brittany Region.
