P&O Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry ending (1 Viewer)

[hymermick]

Just heard on my local radio station that P&O are stopping the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry in September 2010 when the contract for the Pride of Bilbao runs out. They claim the ferry has been running at a loss for a long time.

 

[neilmac]

Probably costs a fortune to maintain that ship

Its taken a severe bashing for quite a few years now.

 

[hilldweller]

Just heard on my local radio station that P&O are stopping the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry in September 2010 when the contract for the Pride of Bilbao runs out. They claim the ferry has been running at a loss for a long time.

Always too expensive for us in a MH. Of course less competition and the other services will probably hike their prices.

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[madbluemad]

We found it more economic to travel on this route to the Costa Brava than to sail via France.

Ive no idea how they can be losing money, it costs an arm and a leg for a cup of coffee.

Even if that was the case, put the fare prices up.

Jim

 

[Ralph-Dot]

Didn't they threaten to pull out last year as well?

 

[net-traveller]

The threat has been there since P&O set up on it's own after the sale of the group to Dubai World, wonder how that's going these days.

The Poole - Cherbourg ferry is also being axed due to lack of profit.

Of course logic would say that if these routes were reasonably priced there wouldn't be a problem but greed is still good.

Various other companies have attempted to operate the Portsmouth - France/Spain routes but have fallen foul of the Maritime Safety Board. Many of the ships are been refused safety certificates and have disappeared back to the Med where it seems different standards apply.

I guess it's a case of use it (and cripple yourself financially) or lose it

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