Brittany Ferries Announces New Twice Weekly Service To Bilbao

Brittany Ferries Freight have recently announced their new 2011 schedules, which become effective from Spring, the major change being the introduction of a twice weekly service from Portsmouth to Bilbao to be operated by the 33,000 tonne vessel Cap Finistère. This new route will be in addition to a twice weekly Portsmouth-Santander, weekly Plymouth-Santander and the ever popular weekly Poole-Santander services.

In total, starting from Spring, there will be 6 return crossings a week between the UK and Spain; 4 from Portsmouth, 1 from Plymouth and 1 from Poole.

The decision to expand services on the direct axis between the UK and Spain has been based on the results of progressively building freight traffic on the route from the initial introduction of the freight only vessel, Cotentin, from Poole in 2007 through the acquisition of the Cap Finistère earlier this year. Again, the new route will have transit times that are purpose designed with the optimum use of the weekly 24 hour drivers' rest in mind; and with a minimum of 65 freight spaces on any sailing the service will have the desired effect of moving still more vehicles off the heavily congested roads in France.

Jon Clarke, Group Freight Director, says 'we are now one step away from a long held aspiration of having a daily service for both driver-accompanied and unaccompanied freight to Northern Spain. This progress clearly mirrors the enhanced appreciation by the road transport industry that vehicles travelling on long crossings are more productive in the round than when parked in either traffic queues or insecure parking areas. Then, of course, there are the increased pressures from the environmental lobbies, whose aim is to eradicate road congestion through a combination of pricing and driving restrictions that focus attention on the alternatives we now consistently offer.'

Further details can be obtained directly from Brittany Ferries Freight Sales on 0871 244 0411

Issued 239th September, 2010