Brittany Ferries agreement for the sale of Cap Finistère to an Italian operator

The operator Brittany Ferries has confirmed that it is in the final stages of negotiations for the sale of Cap Finistère to the Italian shipping company GNV.

The development comes as the Roscoff-based company prepares to welcome its next vessel to the fleet, the Salamanca (second of five “E-Flexer” class vessels afloat ordered by Stena RoRo on long-term charter to Brittany Ferries ).

The new construction that will arrive in Bilbao in the coming days, completing its six-week journey from China.

“Cap Finistère has served us well over the past decade and will be missed by crew, passengers and freight drivers,” said Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries. “She is a beautiful vessel and I am delighted that GNV is her new owner. We are now ready to finalize the agreement and say goodbye to her.

Cap Finistère has served Brittany Ferries since 2010, initially on the UK-Spain routes. Afloat also adds that, as reported nearly a year ago, the cruise ferry made its debut in Irish waters by launching BF’s second route from Rosslare to Cherbourg in response to demand for cargo bypass by the Brexit. Ropax Connemara would replace the Ireland-France role of the cruise ferry.

The ferry has taken millions of holidaymakers to the beautiful regions of northern Spain. It also transported thousands of freight units across the Bay of Biscay.

The service to Cap Finistère, alongside ships such as Pont-Aven and Galice, has made it possible to boost tourism, enrich the territories and cement partnerships which will continue with the introduction of Salamanca and Santoña respectively this year and in 2023. (All ferries except Pont-Aven are E-Flexers).

Built in 2001, Cap Finistère is 204m long, with a top speed of 28 knots and according to the company is one of the finest ferries in service.

The ferry operated Portsmouth-Santander and Portsmouth-Bilbao routes with Brittany Ferries, carrying up to 1,595 passengers or 110 cargo units.