PASSENGER TRAFFIC – ALL MARKETS COMBINED

“We are recording, for our first full year post-health crisis, very encouraging results on all our ships and in all our ports” declares Christophe Mathieu, Chairman of the Management Board of Brittany Ferries. “We have demonstrated that we have a viable economic model with significant potential allowing a return to pre-covid passenger volumes. Our financial results are also satisfactory. Note that in terms of fleet, our new, more environmentally friendly ships environment offer more comfort and more possibilities for stays to our passengers, which allows us to offer high-end travel."

FREIGHT TRAFFIC – ALL MARKETS COMBINED

“Although the majority of freight transport takes place outside the summer season, the trend for summer 2023 is downward,” indicates Christophe Mathieu. "This situation is worrying in the East Channel where there remains overcapacity on the shortest shipping lines, such as for example between Dover and Calais. The result is competition in which low-cost operators benefit from an unfair advantage compared to those who do not practice social dumping, who pay a decent salary to their seafarers, which translates into a drop of around 6% from one year to the next. This applies to the connections operated from our ports located east of the Strait, namely Le Havre, Caen/Ouistreham and Cherbourg. Compared to 2019, these figures are significantly worse, with a drop of around 30%."

PASSENGER TRAFFIC BY LINE

The second Roscoff-Cork rotation: a commercial success for all of Brittany!

The twice-weekly rotations between Roscoff and Cork made it possible to increase the number of passengers transported this summer, confirming the decision to maintain this second crossing all year round. Overall, on France-Ireland routes, volumes increased by 60% compared to 2019 and the increase is 11% compared to 2022.

The Rosslare-Bilbao route shows strong growth: +20,000 travelers crossed the Irish Sea and the Bay of Biscay compared to 2022. This represents an increase of 155%.

These are the new vessels powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) which operate between Rosslare and Bilbao.

"The Bilbao-Rosslare line is a successful bet. The objectives have been achieved. And once again, Brittany Ferries is on point with regional planning. Indeed, whether for freight or passengers, this line allows environmental gains and transport models desired by the State, the regions served and transit. 

By developing a low-carbon travel model on this new line since 2018, we are reducing the number of trucks on the roads and we are increasing the number of car passengers on board our ferries. This decision is paying off, as is taking advantage of the proximity of Roscoff to Ireland and the choice of new ships powered by LNG, while waiting for propulsion electric" specifies Jean-Marc Roué, President of Brittany Ferries.

For other maritime routes, the results are less spectacular. Progress is well recorded on the lines linking the regions of Brittany and Normandy to the United Kingdom. However, these figures remain lower than those of 2019. Brittany (-15%) held up better than Normandy (-25%). This reflects the growing popularity of travel on short shipping lines. After a good development last year, connections between the United Kingdom and Spain are back at 2019 levels. Last year's increase was the consequence of the closure of the borders between France and the United Kingdom over the festive period and through January 2022. This year's data shows a slight increase over 2019 levels. However, with one less turnover per week, the good news is that the increase was achieved with a better operational organization and a reduction in atmospheric emissions.

FREIGHT TRAFFIC BY LINE

The general trend in freight transport is illustrated by the figures for summer 2023 and by shipping line. Brexit has borne fruit since it made it possible to transport goods between two member states of the European Union, France and Ireland, without passing through the United Kingdom. Further growth was also seen on the Ireland-Spain route with the Rosslare and Bilbao freight centers which continue to boost demand.

The figures relating to connections between France and the United Kingdom give a different view of the situation. Indeed, shipping lines linking France to the United Kingdom recorded a drop in volumes after Brexit. It should nevertheless be remembered that, while Brittany Ferries continues to experience difficulties, operators who offer short-sea shipping and who apply a low-wage, low-cost model have been able to offer competitive rates, which allowed them to increase their turnover this year.

This real distortion of competition has particularly hit Brittany Ferries, particularly in freight transport from Cherbourg, Caen/Ouistreham and Le Havre.