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We’re still here, Brittany Ferries tells the freight market

[ October 12, 2020   //   ]

It may have been a season to forget for passenger traffic, but Brittany Ferries says that freight has kept on rolling this year. Freight traffic has had a steady 2020 and there are positive signs for next year, with several major customers indicating that they plan to increase business next year. This could amount to an additional 15% of freight traffic on the Ireland to Spain link.

The company’s newest vessel, Galicia will enter service in December with a garage hosting more than 3km of lanes or up to 155 trailers.

In addition to serving UK to Spain, Galicia will make one weekly rotation between Portsmouth and Cherbourg. However, the most popular freight route remains Caen-Portsmouth, which carries nearly 50% of all freight traffic for the company.

Brittany Ferries opened a route connecting Ireland with Spain for the first time in 2018. Originally operating from Cork to Santander, the operation became a Rosslare-Bilbao service earlier this year in response to demand from freight customers. Brittany  says that the decision has borne fruit and demand is expected to continue to grow as more companies in Ireland and the Iberian peninsula look for a Brexit by-pass to escape the UK land-bridge.

Cork- Roscoff meanwhile continues to serve mainly passenger traffic, with the company’s cruise ferry Pont-Aven returning in 2021 for the holiday season.

“The Brittany Ferries freight team has worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 crisis to guarantee the supply of essential products like food and medicine,” said group freight director Simon Wagstaff. “It’s an important part of our portfolio because freight comprises around a quarter of the company’s annual turnover and our customers rely on us to maintain essential cross-border links. Based on the reaction of the marketplace – and the support of our loyal freight customers – we are looking forward to a positive 2021.”

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