Brittany Ferries, the largest operator on the English Channel, has announced major plans to close routes and sell ships as it battles with financial challenges.
The Breton-based company will sell the 1992-built Barfleur, which serves travelers on the Poole-Cherbourg route but is to be axed in November, closing one of the shortest links across the channel; however, a Portsmouth-Cherbourg link will operate in its place.
The company also adds it is looking to close another route with Normandy earlier in October with the closure of Portsmouth-Le Havre, and no changes will be made from the UK port with its connection to Caen.
Commenting on the restructuring, Christophe Mathieu, CEO for Brittany Ferries, said, "We need to adapt, and that means a plan to secure a future that will continue to bring opportunities for all those who live and work in the regions we serve."
The ferry firm faces a bill of €27 million this year and has blamed its situation on rising taxes and Covid loan repayments and unfair competition in addition to fewer cross-channel customers.
It said that although it has repaid half of its Covid support loan, significant debt remains, alongside new costs from the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). This is despite major investments in greener-powered ships.
BBC News has more, including further changes on the UK routes serving Guernsey but with inward calls to Portsmouth via Cherbourg, while the Poole to Guernsey route will continue but with the option to travel on to St. Malo.
Afloat adds these greener ferries are the Stena-developed E-Flexer class, some serving on Brittany Ferries' Irish operations, noting the announcement does not affect Rosslare routes connecting France and Spain.
However, the 2007-built ropax (freight-orientated) Cotentin, which runs Rosslare-Cherbourg, will be sold, while the Ireland-France route will continue to operate with other ferries.
