Brittany Ferries

Last updated

Brittany Ferries
Company type Private company
IndustryPassenger transportation
Freight transportation
Holidays
Founded1973
Founder Alexis Gourvennec
Headquarters Roscoff, France
Area served
France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain
Key people
Jean-Marc Roué
Christophe Mathieu
Frédéric Pouget
Corinne Vintner
RevenueIncrease2.svg €444.2 million (2018)
Total assets €444.2 million (2018)
OwnerBAI Bretagne Angleterre Irlande S.A.
Number of employees
Decrease2.svg 2,787 (2018 average - high and low seasons) [1]
Website brittany-ferries.co.uk
brittany-ferries.fr
brittany-ferries.ie

Brittany Ferries is the trading name of the French shipping company, BAI Bretagne Angleterre Irlande S.A. founded in 1973 by Alexis Gourvennec, that operates a fleet of ferries and cruiseferries between France and the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain, and between Spain and Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Contents

History

Brittany Ferries logo until 1984 Brittanyferries1980s.png
Brittany Ferries logo until 1984

BAI (Bretagne Angleterre Irlande) S.A. was founded by Alexis Gourvennec. Working with fellow Breton farmers, Gourvennec lobbied for improvements to Brittany's infrastructure, including better roads, telephone network, education and port access. By 1972 he had successfully secured funding and work to develop a deep-water port at Roscoff. Gourvennec had no desire to run a ferry service, but existing operators showed little appetite for the opportunity.

The company itself began sailings on 2 January 1973 between Roscoff in Brittany and Plymouth in the South West of England, using the freight ferry Kerisnel, a former Israeli tank carrier. The company's primary aim at that time was to exploit opportunities presented by the UK's entry into the European Common Market, forerunner to the European Union, in order to export directly to markets in the United Kingdom.

In 1974, Kerisnel was replaced by Penn-Ar-Bed, which carried both passengers and vehicles, and the BAI company adopted the name Brittany Ferries. [2]

In late 2009, the new PooleSantander freight-only service was deemed a success and the frequency was doubled: there would now be two services a week operated by Cotentin. In November 2009, Armorique was laid up for the rest of the winter season. Major changes were announced in December 2009. Barfleur was withdrawn from service at the end of January 2010 after nearly 18 years service on the Poole–Cherbourg route. The service was temporarily served by Armorique, which came back to service earlier than originally planned. The Poole–Santander service reverted to one sailing a week with Cotentin covering freight on the Poole–Cherbourg service in the absence of Barfleur. Condor Vitesse continued to operate one round sailing a day in the summer months between the two ports. Cap Finistère ran between Portsmouth and Santander twice a week and also operated three round trips a week between Portsmouth and Cherbourg. In September 2010, Brittany Ferries announced plans to serve the Portsmouth–Bilbao route recently abandoned by P&O Ferries. [3] The route started on 27 March 2011.

On 21 September 2012, Brittany Ferries cancelled sailings indefinitely following two days of wildcat strikes caused by crew members who were unhappy with changes in working terms and conditions. Meetings took place between management and unions to negotiate the management proposals. A vote was taken on 30 September by union members to decide if the management proposals would be accepted. The crew members accepted the proposal and services resumed on 2 October after 12 days without services. During this period, Brittany Ferries made special arrangements with P&O Ferries and MyFerryLink to accept tickets on the Dover–Calais route. Unused tickets were refunded. [4] Services were not affected on the Poole–Cherbourg route which was being operated by Condor Ferries.

Brittany Ferries logo until 2018 Brittany ferries logo.svg
Brittany Ferries logo until 2018

In 2018, Brittany Ferries commenced service between Cork, Ireland, and Santander. This was cancelled and effectively replaced in February 2020 by the Rosslare–Bilbao service which runs twice weekly. [5] A seasonal service between Rosslare and Roscoff is also offered. [6]

From late March 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Brittany Ferries was forced to cancel all passenger sailings until 15 May 2020 after British government advice was issued against all travel. [7] Initially they had been offering refund vouchers valid for 2 years for affected customers. Many customers were unsatisfied with vouchers and had requested a refund. Brittany Ferries had begun to issue refunds in the last week of April for customers that wished for a refund. Customers were entitled to a refund under EU regulation 1177/2010. [8]

Normandie passing the Spinnaker Tower The Solent , Brittany Ferry leaves Portsmouth Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 2880027.jpg
Normandie passing the Spinnaker Tower

On 23 July 2020, Brittany Ferries announced the launch of a brand new Rosslare–Cherbourg service.

On 19 August 2020, as a consequence of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the company confirmed that it was reducing ferry services from the end of August and laying up various ships, beginning with Armorique and Bretagne. Further schedule changes were likely in the months ahead, the company confirmed in March 2021. It also confirmed the launch of a five-year recover plan following the loss of more than half of its revenue, the consequence of restrictions on passenger traffic in all markets in which it operates. [9]

On 20 July 2021, Brittany Ferries announced at a press conference in Paris that it had secured a charter with Stena RoRo for 2 more E-Flexers. The new vessels are due to replace the MV Normandie on the PortsmouthCaen route and MV Bretagne on the PortsmouthSt Malo Route. The charter is expected to run for 10 years with the option to purchase after 4 years. [10]

On 8 August 2024, Brittany Ferries announced its intention to become the majority stakeholder of Condor Ferries, pending approval of regulators in Jersey and Guernsey. [11]

Fleet

Current

ShipBuiltEntered serviceGross tonnageLengthBeamService speedVessel typePort of registryCurrent status
Armorique 2009200929,468  GT 168.30 m26.8 m25 knotsCruise Ferry Morlaix In Service
Barfleur 1992199220,133  GT 158.7 m23.3 m19.5 knotsCruise Ferry Cherbourg In Service
Cotentin 2007200722,252  GT 167.00m26.80m23 knotsFreight Ferry Cherbourg In Service
Galicia 2020202041,671  GT 214.50 m27.8 m22 knotsCruise Ferry Morlaix In Service
MN Pelican1999201612,076  GT 155.5 m22.7 m20 knotsFreight Ferry Marseille In Service
Mont St Michel 2002200235,586  GT 173.95 m28.5 m22 knotsCruise Ferry Caen In Service
Normandie 1992199227,451  GT 161.40 m26.0 m20.5 knotsCruise Ferry Caen In Service
Pont-Aven 2004200440,859  GT 184.3 m31.0 m27 knotsCruise Ferry Morlaix In Service
Salamanca 2021202241,863  GT 214.50 m27.8 m22 knotsCruise Ferry Morlaix In Service
Santoña 2022202342,400  GT 214.50 m27.8 m22 knotsCruise Ferry Morlaix In Service

Future Fleet

ShipBuiltEntered serviceGross tonnageLengthBeamService speedVessel typePort of registryCurrent status
Saint-Malo On OrderOn order38,000  GT 194.00 m27.8 m23 knotsCruise Ferry Morlaix Due for delivered [12]
Guillaume de Normandie On OrderOn order38,000  GT 194.00 m27.8 m23 knotsCruise Ferry Caen Due for delivery in Spring 2025 [13]

Past Fleet

ShipBuiltIn serviceTonnageCurrent status
Kerisnel197319731,983  GT Sank while under tow to Turkish breakers on 15 May 2014
Bénodet 19701983-19854,317  GT Scrapped in Turkey, 2021
Goelo 19671980-19825,149  GT Scrapped in Turkey, 2001
Penn-Ar-Bed197419746,399  GT Scrapped in India, 2004
Armorique 19721976-19938,181  GT Sunk in The Java Sea, 2011
Cornouailles197719776,918  GT Scrapped in Turkey, 2013
Reine Mathilde 19701978-19927,747  GT Scrapped in India, 2005
Breizh Izel197019806,576  GT Scrapped in Turkey, 2014
Tregastel197119858,696  GT Sold to Baaboud Shipping as MS Noor. Sold for scrap in 2022
Coutances 19701985-20086,507  GT Sank in Puerto la Cruz, 2018
Purbeck197819856,507  GT Sank in Puerto la Cruz, 2018
Quiberon 19751982-200211,813  GT Renamed D'Abundo and sent to Alang for scrapping
Duc de Normandie 19781986-200513,505  GT Scrapped in Aliaga in 2021 as the Damla
Duchesse Anne 19791988-19969,795  GT Since 1996, with Jadrolinija as Dubrovnik
Val de Loire 19861993-200631,564  GT Since 2006, with DFDS Seaways as King Seaways
Pont L'Abbe 19782006-200917,564  GT Since 2009, with Moby Lines as Moby Corse
Baie de Seine 20012015-202022,382  GT Returned to DFDS Seaways in March 2020 as Sirena Seaways
Kerry20012019-202024,418  GT Returned to Stena Line in November 2020
Etretat 20082014-202126,904  GT Returned to Stena Line in April 2021, as Stena Livia
Normandie Express 20002005-20216,581  GT Chartered to Condor Ferries in May 2021 as Condor Voyager
Cap Finistère 20012010-202232,728  GT Sold to Grandi Navi Veloci in January 2022 as GNV Spirit
Connemara 20072018-202227,414  GT Sold to StraitNZ in December 2022 as Connemara
Bretagne 19891989-202424,534  GT Awaiting sale

Routes

RouteVessel
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth Flag of France.svg Caen Mont St Michel and Normandie
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth Flag of France.svg Le Havre Cotentin
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth Flag of France.svg Cherbourg Galicia and Santoña
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth Flag of France.svg Saint Malo Saint-Malo
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth Flag of Spain.svg Santander Santoña
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Portsmouth Flag of Spain.svg Bilbao Galicia
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Poole Flag of France.svg Cherbourg Barfleur
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Poole Flag of Spain.svg Bilbao MN Pelican (Freight only)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Plymouth Flag of France.svg Roscoff Armorique and Pont-Aven
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Plymouth Flag of Spain.svg Santander Pont-Aven
Flag of Ireland.svg Cork Flag of France.svg Roscoff Pont-Aven and Armorique
Flag of Ireland.svg Rosslare Flag of France.svg Cherbourg Galicia, Cotentin and Commodore Clipper (Freight Only)
Flag of Ireland.svg Rosslare Flag of France.svg Le Havre Cotentin
Flag of Ireland.svg Rosslare Flag of Spain.svg Bilbao Salamanca

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References

Notes

  1. "Brittany Ferries Bilan Consolidé (Balance Sheet), including employee numbers" (PDF). Brittany Ferries Corporate.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. Hoyle, B S; Pinder, David, eds. (1992). European Port Cities in Transition. London: Belhaven Press in association with the British Association for the Advancement of Science. p. 92. ISBN   9780470219263.
  3. "Brittany Ferries saves Portsmouth–Bilbao route". Travel News UK. 27 September 2010. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  4. "Brittany Ferries services halted 'until further notice'". BBC News. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  5. New Rosslare to Bilbao ferry service sets sail by Conor O'Kane, RTE News, February 28, 2020.
  6. Brittany Ferries announces new services to Spain and France from Rosslare Irish Times, January 29, 2020.
  7. "Foreign Office advises against all travel 'indefinitely'". The Independent . 6 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  8. "My Ferry has been Delayed or Cancelled – Could I Be Entitled to Compensation?". NI Ferry Site. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  9. "Brittany Ferries to cut passenger sailings". BBC News Online . 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  10. Mélennec, Olivier (20 July 2021). "Brittany Ferries announces order for two LNG-powered vessels". Ouest France .
  11. "Brittany Ferries set to become main Condor owner as it promises 'better service for passengers'". ITV. 8 August 2024.
  12. https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/marine-marchande/livraison-du-saint-malo-a-brittany-ferries
  13. "Brittany Ferries announces order for two LNG-powered vessels". 20 July 2021.

Bibliography

  • Cowsill, Miles (1993). Brittany Ferries: From the Land to the Sea / De la Terre a la Mer (in English and French). Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire: Ferry Publications. ISBN   1871947170.
  • Cowsill, Miles (2007). Brittany Ferries: 1973–2007. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN   978-1871947892.
  • Cowsill, Miles (2013). Brittany Ferries: 40 memorable years of service, hospitality and holidays. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN   9781906608521.