French ferry company Brittany Ferries has commenced a new service between Poole, United Kingdom and Bilbao in northern Spain using the freight ship 'Cotentin'.
Beginning in March, the new route offers "the opportunity to bypass France" and is "designed to provide the transport industry with a year-round solution to the weekend driving restrictions in France," Brittany Ferries said on their website.
The new service, which will operate southbound every Tuesday and return northbound every Wednesday, will supplement the weekend service from Poole to Santander. The 'Cotentin' will also be used to augment the Poole-Cherbourg service at times of peak freight demand alongside the 'Barfleur'.
"This new route and additional service to Spain allows us to satisfy the strong demand for freight between the two countries," commented Jon Clarke, group freight director of Brittany Ferries.
"It is also in harmony with the European Union's objective of moving freight transport from the road to the sea under its 'Motorways of the Seas' initiative. Effective July, France will also introduce an Ecotax for freight vehicles using non-toll roads, so having the option of being able to avoid driving through France has an additional economic appeal for UK road hauliers."
Jim Stewart, chief executive of the Port of Poole, added: "The port of Poole is delighted that Cotentin will continue to operate from Poole in tandem with Barfleur. In 2012, access to the port was enhanced by the Twin Sails Bridge and improvements to the A31 and we now look forward to working closely with Brittany Ferries to ensure that the two ferry operation from Poole is successful."
Image Source: Antramir
