Barfleur to leave Poole
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The surprise announcement that the Barfleur is to leave Poole in 2010 has been greeted by shock. The Barfleur has operated between Poole and Cherbourg for over 17 years, providing a daily year round service which has a reputation for its reliability and timekeeping. She is to be withdrawn in February 2010. The Cotentin will continue to offer freight only sailings to both Cherbourg and Santander, whilst the Normandie Vitesse will operate a summer only passenger service from the 17th May 2010.
Brittany Ferries have said that there initially be no job losses in Poole, but that they cannot be ruled out in the future.
Steven Tuckwell, Brittany Ferries spokesman, told the Daily Echo that the route has been haemorrhaging money. “The Poole to Cherbourg route using the Barfleur has lost us money since 2003. We are trying to stem the losses by withdrawing that ship from service. Although the Barfleur is being taken out of service we are going to be offering more crossings from Portsmouth.”
Poole Harbour Commissioners chief executive Jim Stewart also said: “This came completely out of the blue. It’s a disappointment and it will certainly impact on the port. There will be a substantial reduction in the number of ferries coming in and out of Poole and a substantial drop in revenue for the port.” He said they had not seen the schedules and as they had only had the news for 24 hours, it was too soon to know the consequences for jobs and the port.
The Barfleur will move to the Portsmouth - Caen route in January 2010 before a final return to Poole on the 31st January. Her final voyage will be the 2345 departure from Poole to Cherbourg on the 31st January 2010. The Armorique will operate out of Poole until March 8th.
It is unclear what the future holds for the Barfleur, although Brittany Ferries have stated that she will be time chartered to an as yet un-named company.
