Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry to end in September

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D-Rider · #1 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:52 pm

Those that like to take a shortcut to Spain may have taken the Plymouth to Santander Ferry or the Portsmouth to Bilbao Ferry.

It seems that from the end of September the Portsmouth to Bilbao option will cease to exist:

A P&O ferry service to Spain operating from Portsmouth is to be withdrawn due to "unsustainable" losses, putting 252 jobs at risk.

The Pride of Bilbao's final crossing to Bilbao - which P&O Ferries has operated for 15 years - will take place on 27 September, the firm said.

The 252 employees, including 130 agency workers, all work on the vessel. Twelve others work on shore in Bilbao.

P&O said it was talking to unions. The RMT said the route "remains viable".

Contacting passengers

Steve Todd, the RMT's national maritime secretary, said: "We believe the Portsmouth-Bilbao route remains viable and that there is no case for axing the service.

"We will be working with the company to look at options to keep the route sailing.

"In the meantime, we have cast-iron assurances that there will be no compulsory redundancies and we are in negotiations with P&O to ensure that the interests of staff are fully protected."

Crossings are expected to operate as normal up to and including the 27 September.

It is understood the company is contacting passengers with bookings beyond that date in order to make alternative arrangements or offer refunds.

The news comes after Brittany Ferries announced just before Christmas that it was withdrawing the Barfleur ferry between Poole and Cherbourg because it had been losing money since 2003.

#2 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:08 pm

I travelled the Plymouth-Santander route a few times in the 80s, and the main things I remember were a) how boring a long sea voyage can be b) how much they rake in on the food c) how shit the Bay of Biscay is when it turns stormy d) what a long ride/drive it is down to Plymouth.

To be honest I'd have thought that the Portsmouth-Bilbao route would have been preferable, as Portsmouth is a lot more accessible than Plymouth. But then what do I know?

Sorry to see it go, anyway...

BikerGran · #3 Post by **BikerGran** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:52 pm

I think the real reason why P&O are doing this is because the 'Pride of Bilbao' is getting a bit old and needs replacing - the cost would presumably be astronomical!

Barfleur is a lovely boat, we'll miss it (Poole being just a few miles from us). Wonder what will happen to her?

We always feel our holiday begins as soon as we get on the Barfleur. On the other hand, we once travelled on the Pride and hated it! Grubby, uncomfortable, poor service, grotty food.....

fastasfcuk · #4 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:48 pm

the barfluer's the one when my bike got knocked over.

hornetrider · #5 Post by **hornetrider** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 2:12 am

I suspect the loss of the route will lead to increased prices on the Plymouth > Santander route.

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:37 am

hornetrider wrote:I suspect the loss of the route will lead to increased prices on the Plymouth > Santander route.

Good point, depressingly made.

BUT

Another good reason to go this summer while it's still more affordable!

sidestand · #7 Post by **sidestand** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 9:52 pm

Brittany Ferries run routes from Plymouth AND Portsmouth now in the summer - the Portsmouth route started last year - their ferries, the Pont Aven, & their new flagship, the Cap Finistere, make the Pride of Bilbao look like an old tramp steamer, & with both taking under 24 hours with only the one night, ........I think that's the real reason P&O have thrown the towel in.