‘Hard-nosed business decision’ – Brittany Ferriespublished at 09:51 BST
09:51 BST
Speaking on BBC Radio Solent, Brittany Ferries’ Nigel Wonnacott has explained more about the decision to sell Barfleur and end the Poole-Cherbourg route.
The company has seen passenger numbers drop from its heyday of 547,000 in 2002 to 165,000 in 2025, a fall of some 70%.
Freight has also fallen by 94% over the same timeframe.
“The reality is a ferry company doesn’t run on emotion. It runs on profit and loss and commercial necessity,” Wonnacott said.
“Today is a sad day, it’s a day we wish hasn’t happened. But the reality is we’re a business, we’re not a charity.
“It is brutally, a hard-nosed business decision. Not enough passengers, not enough freight, not financially viable.”