Brittany Ferries has revealed significant modifications to its UK-France routes for the upcoming autumn season due to the financial strains caused by the Covid pandemic and the enduring repercussions of Brexit.
The ferry company will be offloading two of its vessels, including one utilized for the current Poole to Cherbourg route, which is set to cease operation from November 1. Passengers will now be redirected to Portsmouth, where a daily service to Cherbourg will be available as a substitute.
Additionally, in response to what it deems as unfair competition on the Eastern Channel, Brittany Ferries intends to discontinue the Portsmouth to Le Havre route by October 2026, citing subsidies contributing to the loss-making Dieppe-Newhaven route.
The company confirmed October 1 as the closure date, emphasizing its efforts to maintain the route amid ongoing legal challenges under review by authorities in Brussels.
Furthermore, a shift to a more efficient schedule is planned for the ships serving Guernsey, Poole, and Cherbourg from November 1. Brittany Ferries Island will adopt a triangular route: Portsmouth to Guernsey, Guernsey to Cherbourg, and Cherbourg back to Portsmouth. Simultaneously, the fast craft Brittany Ferries Voyager will continue its service from Poole to Guernsey with the option to extend the journey to St Malo.
Brittany Ferries assured that there will be no job losses in the UK, although a small number of positions in Le Havre may be affected pending an ongoing consultation process.
Having initiated operations on the Poole to Cherbourg route in 1986 aboard the ferry Barfleur, Brittany Ferries has announced the vessel’s impending sale. The Portsmouth to Le Havre route, commenced by the company in 2014, entailed daytime sailings to Le Havre and overnight returns to Portsmouth.
Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, expressed the company’s commitment to adapting to both short-term and long-term challenges, emphasizing the necessity of securing a sustainable future to benefit all stakeholders. The company continues to repay its Covid loan and acknowledges the prolonged impact of the crisis.
In addition, Brittany Ferries highlighted the mounting financial burden imposed by the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS), despite its substantial investments in eco-friendly fleet enhancements. The company faces a projected €27 million expense in 2026 due to ETS, preceding the anticipated implementation of a similar scheme for vessels operating in British waters.
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