Brittany Ferries is planning to capitalise on rival P&O’s decision to axe services by increasing capacity on routes to France.
Following P&O’s announcement that it is curtailing its western channel services from Portsmouth to Le Havre and Cherbourg, Brittany Ferries will take over operation of its ships.
Brittany has signed a memorandum of understanding to assume the charters of Pride of Le Havre and Pride of Portsmouth and to offer an alternative service to Le Havre.
Brittany Ferries said it would have to re-align capacity on some of its existing routes to take account of the increased capacity. New timetables covering any re-alignment and the provisional plans for the Portsmouth-Le Havre route will be announced in due course.
Brittany Ferries managing director David Longden said: “These are challenging times for the ferry industry with the Channel Tunnel, new seasonal services, increased competition from low cost airlines and continuous price pressure, particularly on the Dover-Calais route, resulting in downward pressure on rates.
“The developments will help to secure continuity and a significant number of jobs, both on-shore in Portsmouth and Le Havre as well as on board the two ships involved.”
