Brittany Ferries withdraws from Le Havre plans

Brittany Ferries, the leading operator on the Western Channel routes to France and Spain, has withdrawn from its initiative to charter two ships from P&O Ferries to provide a replacement service from Portsmouth to Le Havre.

Since the publication of P&O’s fundamental review of their ferry business, the plans were considered by the Office of Fair Trading and subsequently referred to the Competition Commission. In the five ensuing months, market trends in both volume and revenue yields have led Brittany Ferries’ board to conclude that it would not be commercially sound to continue with the transaction irrespective of what the final outcome of the regulatory process may have been.

Instead, it will concentrate on developing its existing routes to France from Portsmouth to Caen, St Malo and Cherbourg, together with its other cross channel routes from Poole and Plymouth.

The Company will also continue its fleet development programme covering high-speed craft, cruise-ferries and freight vessels.

For further information contact Stephen Tuckwell at the Brittany Ferries Press Office.
Telephone: 0870 901 0215
Fax: 08709 000 289
Email: pressoffice@brittanyferries.com

Released 28 February March 2005