The Spanish Government which recently announced an Eco Incentive Scheme implemented on Brittany Ferries Bilbao-Rosslare Europort route, is also to see a new cruiseferry introduced on the service next month, writes Jehan Ashmore.
According to the ferry operator, the Eco Incentive scheme will continue until 31st March 2023 and it may be prolonged for a further two years after this date. The scheme's purpose is to promote maritime freight transport based on environmental merit.
Brittany Ferries is pleased to confirm that this scheme will apply to their Spain-Ireland route which opened in 2020 with two departures per week.
Eligible companies will be able to reclaim €6.80 per eligible unit shipped in either direction, directly from the Spanish Government.
To take advantage of the scheme, companies will need to register via this link (in Spanish & English) which also contains further information on the scheme.
In April, Brittany Ferries announced the Spain-Ireland link in November is to be boosted with introduction of the E-flexer class Galicia, a more tourism-oriented ferry on the overnight service which can take 1,015 passengers accommodated in 431 cabins.
Since the announcement, Afloat.ie adds that another E-Flexer cruise ferry is to enter service before the 2020 built Galicia, with this year's introduced Salamanca, the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) ferry to operate in UK waters.
In February, the 'greener' fuel powered cruiseferry arrived to Ireland to carry out a berthing trial in Rosslare (see photo above). The Wexford port will see the larger newbuilds call, with each providing a boost in capacity with space for 300 cars and for freight totalling 139 trucks.
The smaller 'no-frills' ropax Connemara on the Ireland-Iberian link is to make a final sailing at the end of this month. Following this, Salamanca is to enter service first, instead of Galicia. This is to take place in less than a month's time on the route which has an average crossing time of 26 hours.
Salamanca, however will only operate during the winter months as Afloat consulted the sailing schedule which sees Galicia taking over in late March, 2023. This debut will be in readiness to operating the shoulder season in advance of next summer.
