French ferry company Brittany Ferries has today confirmed it will commence its new seasonal Rosslare – Cherbourg route two months early. The move means yet more capacity is being added to the booming Ireland – France freight corridor post-Brexit.
Initially the route will be served by CAP FINISTERE. The 204m long vessel is releasing the regular Brittany Ferries Rosslare ship CONNEMARA for dry-dock cover at Poole. This means that CAP FINISTERE will also serve the twice-weekly Rosslare – Bilbao route as well. Although CONNEMARA is shorter, she has more freight capacity than CAP FINISTERE which is too long to berth at Poole.
CAP FINISTERE will be in service on both the Rosslare to Bilbao and Cherbourg routes until February 10. After then, CONNEMARA will return.
Commenting on the move, Christophe Mathieu, Brittany Ferries CEO, said:
“Brittany Ferries prides itself on decisive action, based on the flexibility of its fleet and we can meet the needs of the marketplace quickly,”
“Cap Finistère is our fastest Ro-Ro vessel and she is therefore well suited to opening this new Brexit by-pass, making an additional sailing each week connecting France and Ireland.”
CAP FINISTERE usually serves Brittany Ferries’ long-haul routes connecting Portsmouth (UK) and Santander and Bilbao (Northern Spain). With 265 en-suite cabins, she has plenty of space for drivers and passengers. CAP FINISTERE was temporarily displaced from the Portsmouth – Spain routes last month by the arrival of GALICIA. The first sailing from Cherbourg to Rosslare will take place on Monday 18 January.
