The move includes a new Tuesday evening departure at 21:00, with additional sailings to be phased in as part of a broader strengthening of the route. Full schedules will be published shortly, after T’s have been crossed and I’s dotted. In the meantime, Brittany Ferries says it is ready to boost business continuity for Irish hauliers – and to offer more choice to holidaymakers.

“Brittany Ferries is a company that prides itself on its ability to move quickly when opportunity knocks,” said Christophe Mathieu CEO Brittany Ferries. “News that our competitor was stepping back, started the firing pistol on a concerted efforted to secure port slots and better serve customers in Ireland and France.

“I am delighted that we can confirm this increase in capacity on the Cherbourg Rosslare route and we thank Rosslare Europort and the Port of Cherbourg for their support. It means greater choice for holidaymakers and even more opportunity for freight operators seeking to by-pass the UK entirely, cutting down on bureaucracy and delays at the UK border. Our new train connection in Cherbourg only adds further strings to the multimodal bow.”

Christened ro-ro rail, the company’s first train is a further development in its route network. It connects Ireland with the Iberian Peninsula via ferry and rail.  The rail line links Cherbourg and Bayonne, carrying unaccompanied trailers over 970 km of the French rail network. Fewer emissions, competitive rates, and no need for accompanying drivers are key benefits.

Glenn Carr, Director Commercial Business Units for Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail – Port Authority for Rosslare Europort – said:

Brittany Ferries launched a Rosslare to Cherbourg service in 2021. It was a post-Brexit response to demand from hauliers, to obviate the need to cross the UK-landbridge when moving freight between Ireland and France. Recently third, fourth and fifth weekly return-sailings had been added to the menu, as demand continued to rise – and not just from freight customers.

Passenger and freight figures show the seaborne connection is ripe for further development. Passenger volumes have soared nearly 40 per cent this year. Freight units have doubled.

The capacity boost is also good news for Brittany Ferries’ seafarers. Several ships – scheduled to be taken out of service over the winter – are now expected to serve the Rosslare-Cherbourg expansion.

GALICIA for example, one of five new ships that joined the Brittany Ferries fleet since 2020 will serve Rosslare-Cherbourg throughout the winter, rather than being tied up. PONT-AVEN, the company’s flagship, will also continue to sail during part of the winter period, after the company initially planned to lay her over.

Several ships will take turns depending on the period:
• October: COTENTIN, SALAMANCA and CLIPPER
• November: GALICIA, SALAMANCA and ARMORIQUE
• December to March: GALICIA, SALAMANCA and COTENTIN
This scheme will increase freight and passenger capacity by 25%

© Shippax