Armoricana Ferries, the British shipping company that this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its foundation, its “golden maritime anniversary”, announces that by 2023 it will reach the figure of one million passengers during its twelve years of presence in the port of Bilbao.
The announcement was actually made on board one of the most recent ships “Salamanca”, in which a large representation of the port community of Bilbao met, together with institutional, tourist and cultural representatives of the Basque country, the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a country that is the tourist par excellence of the county of Wexford and the entire Green Island he presented
General manager of Britannia Ferries, Christophe Mathieu; the president of the Bilbao Port Authority, Ricardo Barkala; and the sub-legacy of the Government, Vicente Reyes, together with the ambassadors and exiles in Ireland.
Ireland rolls out its green carpet from Bilbao
Christophe Mathieu points out that “the Atlantic arc is a thing that brings together culture and economy”, a place in which Brittany Ferries has developed a successful record, which is reflected by the opening of new routes and the incorporation of new ships. In this sense, the route between the port of Bilbao and Rosslare began in 2020 and in a short time became one of the most successful companies, with an increase of 172% in freight and 9% in passengers in 2019 and 78. % Growth in resources compared to 2022.
“Salamanca” increases the connection possibilities with the port of Rosslare, Ireland
This success led to the incorporation of the new ship “Salmanca” on this connection twice a week. A much larger and more accessible ship. It offers a better service and more facilities on board, which means that it is a much more attractive proposition for everyone who wants to travel more comfortably from Spain to Ireland. First, “Salamanca” will transport passengers on foot and by bicycle, which will allow more people to travel without a car, thus promoting sustainable tourism”, Mathieu points out.
The ferry is equipped with all amenities for up to 1,050 passengers and with the ability to transport up to 2,714 linear meters of passenger vehicles and trucks, powered by LNG, like the twin “Santoña” recently incorporated in that line. the port of Santander towards Britain. They are E-Flexer class vessels, which are 214.5 meters long and 27.8 meters wide, displacing 41,716 tons. It has 343 cabins on ten floors, 22 of them suitable for pets and 37 specially dedicated to carriers. Its population consists of 85 people. “We have a perfect ship in line with Ireland, now we have to fill it,” Mathieu joked.
Pandemic and Brexit
On the one hand, the president of the Port Authority, Ricardo Barkala, showed that the community of the port of Bilbao “is working with Brittannia Ferries to increase trade with Britain and Ireland”, because there is still a lot of traffic going. by road, and “It is enough to go by boat.” Recently, both institutes have to face two disruptions: Brexit and Covid-19, “we were able to manage two miles successfully”, said Barkala, who pointed out that the port of Bilbao is the first to be connected with it. The United Kingdom and Ireland, “don’t forget” that last one.
The new ship is powered by LNG
The port of Bilbao is the first in our country to trade with the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
For Barkala, both the ship and the shipping company “the incarnation of the Bilbao Port Authority, service, sustainability and competitiveness, highlighted the collaboration between the Port Authority and Brittania Ferries to develop tourism and passive routes from and towards Bilbao “a convenient, attractive, sustainable and diverse option”.
In the sweetness of Ireland, the journey that takes Salamanca, is without doubt, and our charms too, not to mention our characters. We are two peoples, two cultures that understand and admire each other and we must continue to strengthen trade and personal relations”, said Barkala, who also assessed the conditions in the port of Bilbao and the gas manufactured station for the supply of LNG from the company Repsol. Yes the first ship made of natural liquefied natural gas from the French company, one of the most efficient in the world, thanks to the innovations applied to its design and construction, made its voyage last March.
From the port of Bilbao
Britannica Ferries started sailing in the port of Bilbao in 2011, and since then it has become one of the leading shipping companies to transport cargo and passengers between Bilbao and Great Britain and Ireland, with three crossings and six stopovers. part
Christophe Mathieu was encouraged to “fill the new ship” with passengers and goods
In addition to the connection with the Irish port of Rosslare – twice a week, as of next month, “Galicia” will connect the passenger service connecting Bilbao with the port of Portsmouth, with two weekly flights. Finally, there is an unaccompanied cargo service that connects the port of Bilbao with the port of Polo twice a week, a route served by the ship “MN Pelikan”.
Spain, with 431,000 tourists, is the fifth largest tourist destination in Ireland
As a culmination to the day, Vicente Reyes elaborated the importance of the society which, despite the difficulties, remained firmly in a sustainable manner”. Then the Irish Tourist Authority announced some routes and monuments that passengers could enjoy on the Green Island. Thus, the fifth country Spain sends tourists to Ireland, 431,000 travelers in total in 2019, with an approximate expenditure of 218 million dollars. With this connection from the port of Bilbao we “put on the green web” for visitors.
