New Ferry Service Cork to Spain/France

Buceph

I'll repost this from the Cork board, as it might interest some people here.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...263953942.html

It's being officially announced this week, that Irish Times link has some info on it, and there was someone on Pat Kenny's show saying that there'll be more information about it this week.

So if you're looking for a holiday to Spain or the Biscay bay in France, or even planning to do a drive around the Basque region, Portugal or further, it might be worth holding off on booking any holidays for the next week or so. As they say they'll be running the ferry before the Summer holiday season starts.

My father is delighted with this. Means he can get to Spain for all the nice Rioja's he likes and load up the car with crates of wine.

eden_my_ass

Buceph wrote: »

I'll repost this from the Cork board, as it might interest some people here.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...263953942.html

It's being officially announced this week, that Irish Times link has some info on it, and there was someone on Pat Kenny's show saying that there'll be more information about it this week.

So if you're looking for a holiday to Spain or the Biscay bay in France, or even planning to do a drive around the Basque region, Portugal or further, it might be worth holding off on booking any holidays for the next week or so. As they say they'll be running the ferry before the Summer holiday season starts.

My father is delighted with this. Means he can get to Spain for all the nice Rioja's he likes and load up the car with crates of wine.

Can you quote the article please

Or fix the link.

Buceph

These links aren't to the Irish Times article, but they should work,

http://www.spanishvida.com/2010/02/08/new-cork-ferry-to-spain-and-france/

And the official announcement from The Port of Cork;

http://www.portofcork.ie/news-events.aspx?id=177

Edit: Maybe this Irish times one will work;

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0208/1224263953942.html

Buceph

There's another thread, predating both of mine here. http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055821928

There's a bit more info there.

bogman

Any updates to this proposed Cork-Gijon route

calistro

Not looking too hopeful, got this email this weekend.


Port of Cork – Proposed Ferry Service from Cork to Port of Gijon, Northern Spain

It is unlikely that this proposed ferry service from the Port of Cork to Port of Gijon will commence in March 2011 as originally hoped.

Dialogue with potential operators and investors is continuing, however in the current climate it is proving more challenging to establish this service. The Port of Cork, along with our colleagues in Port of Gijon are committed to the project and will continue to work in establishing this ferry service.

If anyone is waiting to book their 2011 holidays, you are advised to go ahead and book with another ferry operator. The Port of Cork will give a further update on the proposed service in early June 2011.

Thank you for you continued support and your patience.

gandalf

Thats a shame, we would have used this service if it was available.

mimihops

That's really dissapointing, would have used it definitely and thought it was a great idea. Hopefully it goes ahead in 2012.

Went looking for an update on this and saw this on a few different forums, so decided to share.

http://www.elcomercio.es/20111118/asturias/gijon/cork-201111180630.html

The line between El Musel and Ireland in December

The second ship of the motorway of the sea to Nantes travel to Ireland at the weekend
18.11.11 - 6:30 -MARCO MENENDEZ |

The highway of the sea is about to take a new step in its development. By the end of this year will enter service the second ship of the maritime connection between El Musel and Nantes-Saint Nazaire. But not the only novelty, and that the second ship will also cover the line between Gijón and the port of Cork, located in the South of Ireland. This will be the first direct maritime connection between the island and the Iberian Peninsula.
The president of the Port Authority of Gijón, Emilio Menéndez, explained that after the arrival of the new boat "frequencies will be increased from three to five a week. During the weekend will be used to make the route to Cork. " Menendez said that shipping is the same highway of the sea, LDLines, which handle the new connection with Ireland is that stressed that "ferry-type will not have to be considered European grant motorway of the sea-and we want to capture the fish trade and tourism to the Iberian Peninsula, as more than 20,000 homeless Irish in Spain or Portugal. There is a very important tourist traffic. "
Another thing is the ferry to Poole announced (UK), Menendez said it "takes an investment of six million pounds, almost seven million euros, and in these times companies are reluctant to invest if they will not have immediate yields. "
However, the developments that will occur soon in El Musel will, in the opinion of the president of the Port Authority, that "Gijón is better positioned in the Atlantic Arc. Also keep in mind that 2014 is scheduled to open the Panama Canal expansion, which we expect to reach deeper draft ships and cargo. "

The president of the Port of Gijón made the remarks during a reception for 20,000 trucks transported on the highway of the sea. The service has proved a success since its inception and Emilio Menéndez predicted that next year will double the numbers recorded this year. In particular, we have carried 20,000 trucks, 11,000 cars, 1,500 motor homes, 1,100 motorcycles, 120 buses and 53,000 passengers, of which 37,000 and 16,000 were tourists, truck drivers. These numbers are the ones who have encouraged both Nantes and Gijon ports as shipping itself to put a new ship into service, because "there were days that were pending more than 40 trucks to ship because the ship was full," said Menendez.

Seven years
The CEO of the port, Julio de la Cueva, was very "optimistic" about the future and highlighted the fact that it incorporates the second ship "before the shipping company was required to do so." He also explained that the contract with LDLines "guarantees that the service will be operational, at least seven years', although only five have public subsidy.

According to De la Cueva, the motorways of the sea "has earned the trust of carriers," as "get the goods distributed in central Europe as if it were in the country."
Gijon Port Authority does not leave the development of the line only to the operator, but is a firm commitment to her and soon it will undertake various actions to improve service. These automate the pre-shipment and make a shortcut to the terminal. The president of the Puerto explained that "we have direct access to shipment, so it is not necessary to pass through all the controls that are needed now. But we do it in a computer. Our goal is to modernize with similar systems to those used ports such as Rotterdam and Le Havre. "

The diversification policy of traffic in the port of Musel, promoting the 'short sea shipping' or coasting trade, is to get in Gijón "being the gateway to Europe for the Atlantic Arc," according to Menendez.

Hope this gets up and running soon, would like to take my bike to Spain!

mimihops

It would be super to see it up & running alright. Fingers crossed!

Harry D

hi to all,does anybody know of any updates on the talks last june on a new ferry service between cork and gijon in northerin spain

navigator

...I'd like so much a regular ferry service Genoa (Italy) - Cleggan (co. Galway)!!!

roundymac

Harry D wrote: »

hi to all,does anybody know of any updates on the talks last june on a new ferry service between cork and gijon in northerin spain

That's all it was, talks I'm afraid. Only ferry service is and will be Cork-Roscoff with brittany ferries.

Tigerandahalf

Portsmouth in England has a ferry service to Spain. Could be an option.

roundymac

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Portsmouth in England has a ferry service to Spain. Could be an option.

As has Plymouth, plenty of options from the UK, from Ireland it's Roscoff and Cherbourg I'm afraid.