The ro-ro service has been put in place, connecting Le Havre and Rosslare once per week using the 2,188 lane metres of capacity Contentin.

"The creation of this new service between Le Havre and Rosslare is the practical outcome of the efforts made by HAROPA PORT and Brittany Ferries in the wake of Brexit, working hand-in-hand with a range of Irish economic and institutional actors," the French port and shipping line said in a press release.

"The establishment of this link today between Le Havre and Rosslare is an important milestone for Brittany Ferries, Le Havre and its port. It had been feeling the lack of a freight line to Ireland until now because Brexit is opening up new opportunities every day, with a trebling in the number of vehicles carried by sea from Ireland in the space of less than a year! It reinforces our service offering from Cherbourg and our project for a multimodal rail highway soon to be connecting Spain and Normandy," Jean-Marc Roué, Chair of the Brittany Ferries Supervisory Board, said.

Édouard Philippe, Mayor of Le Havre and Chair of the Le Havre Seine City and District Authority, added, "Cross-channel services have suffered because of Brexit. The creation of this new direct link with Ireland is excellent news and a marvellous opportunity for the development and competitiveness of the Port of Le Havre."

Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs of the Republic of Ireland, also commented, "The fact that this direct link is now operational is a tribute to the perseverance and vision of its stakeholders. The full bookings announced for the maiden voyage are an excellent start. Confronted with the dual challenge posed by Brexit and the pandemic, these routes, which the media call 'Brexit Busters,' have turned out to be crucial in maintaining the frequency of flows with the Single Market and the European continent as a whole."

Photo: Brittany Ferries