The shipping line has hastened and introduced a new service between Cherbourg and Rosslare two months earlier than initially planned.

The company's Cap Finistère - offering room for up to 1,608 passengers and 1,926 lane metres of freight space - will serve the new route on a weekly basis (in addition to covering the twice weekly sailing connecting Rosslare and Bilbao, taking over from Connemara until 10 February).

Cap Finistère will leave Rosslare on Monday evenings, calling to Cherbourg early in the afternoon the following day for departing the same day, with the arrival in Rosslare at noon on Wednesdays. Afterwards, she will make two calls to Rosslare and Bilbao. The first sailing took place on Monday 18 January.

"Irish and French hauliers have traditionally relied on the UK-land bridge when transporting goods to and from mainland Europe. However, since the beginning of the year, more companies have sought an alternative to the additional administration, new formalities, greater costs and potential delays that come from carrying goods though the UK," the company said in a press release.

Christophe Mathieu, CEO, Brittany Ferries, commented, "Brittany Ferries prides itself on decisive action, based on the flexibility of its fleet and we can meet the needs of the marketplace quickly. Cap Finistère is our fastest ro-ro vessel and she is therefore well suited to opening this new Brexit by-pass, making an additional sailing each week connecting France and Ireland."

Glenn Carr, General Manager, Rosslare Europort, added, "All at Rosslare Europort welcome Brittany Ferries' swift response to the needs of Irish industry in commencing this year's Rosslare to Cherbourg services two months earlier than planned. We have worked closely with Brittany Ferries in ensuring that arrangements for the service were quickly put in place, further cementing Rosslare Europort's position as Ireland’s Gateway to Europe."

Photo: Brittany Ferries