Ferry pullout not Brexit linked

The decision to end the Cork to Santander route has been described as surprising and very disappointing.

Brittany Ferries announced its decision yesterday to move its Ireland-Spain sailings from Cork to Rosslare Europort, with the first sailing due to take place on 28 February. The new Spanish arrival port from Rosslare will be Bilbao.

The company confirmed to the Cork Independent that the decision was not linked to Brexit, given that Rosslare Harbour is owned by a British company set up under UK statute law.

A spokesperson said: “Passenger numbers have been encouraging but freight numbers were not sufficiently robust. The change is not connected with Brexit. It is prompted by a desire to better serve our freight customers.”

The Port of Cork said it was a “surprising decision” for Brittany Ferries to make adding that it was “very disappointing”. A Port of Cork spokesperson added: “However we will continue to pursue other options for linking Cork and Northern Spain.
“We remain supportive of Brittany Ferries who have operated out of Cork for over 40 years and we will continue to facilitate Brittany Ferries on their weekly service from Cork to Roscoff re-commencing in March 2020.”
Thomas McHugh, Director of Public Affairs with Cork Chamber said: “It’s disappointing to see this recently established route move from Cork, however we encourage operators to consider future options, particularly in the context direct connectivity post-Brexit.” 
Christophe Mathieu Brittany Ferries CEO said that yesterday’s announcement was not a decision that the company took lightly and followed what it said was “extensive consultation” with freight customers who sought better road connections and reduced driving distances. 
He said: “We opened the route in 2018 with a two-year trial window. While passenger numbers have been encouraging, the reality is that freight numbers, which are key to route viability, were not sufficiently robust. 
“However I want to make it clear that we remain committed to Cork, with our flagship Pont-Aven cruise-ferry service to Roscoff. We’re also committed to an Ireland-Spain route, now via Rosslare, and we’ll look after existing passengers whose future travel will be affected by this change.”
All customers already booked on affected sailings from Cork will be given the option to transfer their booking to sailing between Rosslare and Bilbao/Roscoff. An allowance will be given to cover additional transfers. Alternatively, a full refund will be provided to those who choose to cancel.
The Cork-Santander route, launched in 2018, was primarily aimed at the freight market into Europe although it also carried holidaymakers, with an ‘économie’ no-frills onboard experience. The new route will again concentrate on freight with an option for holidaymakers.