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Tag: Brittany Ferries | Page 3 | Ferry Shipping News

Apr 29
4

Cherbourg-Bayonne rail motorway: Brittany Ferries gives the green light

By | 2022 Newsletter week 17 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries has given the go-ahead to a new rail-freight link between Cherbourg and Bayonne. The ferry company first announced the rail project back in February 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 health crisis hit, forcing a reduction in ferry services for nearly two years. But while the project—which Brittany Ferries deems strategic—was delayed, it was never cancelled.

During the pause, Brittany Ferries worked with French rail network operator SNCF Réseau and the Ministry for Ecological Transition to determine the routing for the new service, which will provide daily return journeys between Cherbourg and Mouguerre. Following a study into the modification of four railway tunnels on the Atlantic corridor route to allow the lowest available wagons to pass through, a framework agreement was signed, allowing the project to enter its concrete development phase.

With support from the State, Europe, and the regions of Normandie and Nouvelle Aquitaine, Brittany Ferries will open the ‘rail motorway’ linking the port of Cherbourg to the European Freight Centre at Mouguerre, near Bayonne, thereby connecting Spain to the UK and Ireland via the French railway network.

The launch of the new service, initially planned for 2022, is now expected by mid-2024.

Apr 07
4

Brittany Ferries commits to twice-weekly Cork/Roscoff sailings as company celebrates 45-year partnership with Port of Cork

By | 2022 Newsletter week 14 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries has confirmed that its new midweek sailing connecting Cork with France will become a permanent feature of the company’s sailing schedule, further reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to Ireland, Irish tourism and the Port of Cork.

The Wednesday sailing is part of a new three-year deal signed by the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) and Brittany Ferries that was revealed at a reception held on board ARMORIQUE which docked in Ringaskiddy, Cork, Wednesday April 6th.

Jan 13
4

MSC Group continues to acquire ferry tonnage

By | 2022 Newsletter week 2 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries’ CAP FINISTERE seems to be en route to MSC Group, SHIPPING ITALY reports.

This ropax is the former SUPERFAST V (2001).

Although not officially confirmed, the news has not been denied either, writes the Italian source, quoting GNV as the recipient.

CAP FINISTERE has a 1,600 passenger capacity and over 1,900 lanemetres for roro.

Lately, GNV has seen an impressive fleet expansion; in the last two years the following ro-pax has been purchased or long-time chartered in: FORZA, TENACIA, GNV ARIES, GNV ANTARES, GNV BRIDGE E GNV SEALAND. Last week, MSC Group announced a new order for four ropax vessels to be built in China and set to be delivered from late 2024 onwards.

Jan 13
4

Brittany Ferries transports its first CMA CGM container from France to UK

By | 2022 Newsletter week 2 | No Comments

The partnership between Brittany Ferries and the CMA CGM Group has taken a new major step forward with the first loading of CMA CGM containers.

Loaded on special chassis and transported aboard COTENTIN, they left Le Havre for Portsmouth on Wednesday 12 January.

Concluded in September 2021, the commercial partnership between CMA CGM and Brittany Ferries creates complementarities between the two companies, between the maritime transport of passengers and freight, and will allow, based on the respective expertise of the CMA CGM Group and Brittany Ferries, the development of cross-Channel maritime transport and consolidation of France’s place in this sector.

Dec 02
4

Stena RoRo’s first LNG dual-fuel E-Flexer SALAMANCA delivered to Brittany Ferries

By | 2021 newsletter week 48 | No Comments

SALAMANCA, the second of five ships in the E-Flexer class ordered by Stena RoRo for Brittany Ferries was delivered on November 30.

  • Sixth E-Flexer of twelve ordered from the Chinese shipyard CMI Jinling (Weihai).
  • Chartered by Brittany Ferries on a long-term basis and has been especially adapted to the needs of the French ferry company.
  • First ship in the E-Flexer series with gas engines.
  • The interior has been designed by Richard Nilsson, Figura Architects.
  • Length 214.5m| 2723 lanemeters | 1,100 persons (passengers & crew)
  • Routes: Bilbao & Santander – UK (with SANTOÑA which joins fleet in 2023)
Nov 25
4

French Minister of the Sea confirms State Aid for Brittany Ferries

By | 2021 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

French Minister of the Sea, Annick Girardin, has renewed the State’s commitment to pay a subsidy of 45 million euros to Brittany Ferries.

She came to Roscoff on 18 December, to meet Brittany Ferries’ president Jean-Marc Roué (photo) and staff (source: France Blue).

The money comes with a condition: no job loss.

In 2020, the company had more than 2,400 full time employees.

The company also obtained 10 million euros of debt waiver, long-term partial unemployment for 3 years, reimbursement of social charges for 4 years (the “net wage”), not to mention the loan guaranteed by the State, 117 million euros granted in 2020.

Nov 25
4

Official start of Brittany Ferries freight route Le Havre – Rosslare

By | 2021 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

19 November 2021. Jean-Marc Roué, Brittany Ferries’ President, officially opened the first freight ferry link between Le Havre and Rosslare in 25 years.

The event was held in the presence of Thomas Byrne, Irish Minister of European Affairs, and Edouard Philippe, Lord Mayor of Le Havre and political heavyweight, who is rumoured to have presidential ambitions for the elections of 2027.

Nov 25
4

Brittany Ferries resumes Western Channel fast ferry sailings for 2022

By | 2021 Newsletter week 47 | No Comments

From late May until early September 2022, Cherbourg will be linked with Portsmouth and Poole. The sailings will be operated on Brittany Ferries’ behalf by Condor Ferries using its fast ferry CONDOR LIBERATION.

Period: 27 May – 5 June and 15 July – 4 September

Days: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Timetable: Portsmouth 07:00 Cherbourg 11:00 / Cherbourg 11:45 Poole at 13:15

The service will complement Brittany Ferries’ conventional car-ferry sailings from Poole to Cherbourg which will resume on 28 March 2022.

Oct 28
4

After resilience comes the time for competitiveness for Brittany Ferries

By | 2021 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments

Brittany Ferries will benefit from an exceptional state subsidy of 45 million euros, as well as the waiver of debts for a total of 16 million euros. This was announced by the French prime minister Jean Castex.

Jean-Marc Roué, president of Brittany Ferries, has welcomed the French government’s announcement.

For over a year, Brittany Ferries has warned the French state of its deteriorating financial situation as it has battled the Brexit and Covid crises. In particular, the closure of passenger services on the English Channel, a direct consequence of travel restrictions put in place by various European governments to control the Covid pandemic, has had a massive impact.

Support first came to the company last year in the form of government-backed loans issued by French banks to the tune of €117m. The company was further supported by the regions of Brittany and Normandy. It was therefore able to rely on its resilience for nearly two years, in the face of the double storm of Brexit and Covid.

However, significant accumulated losses made it impossible to resort to further loans to guarantee a return to growth. Brittany Ferries, which is the largest employer of French sailors as well as being a vector of economic and tourist development of the Brittany and Normandy regions, had no other recourse than seek reimbursement for the damage suffered as a direct consequence of the forced closure of passenger services.