It has today been announced by P&O Ferries that they are pulling out of the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry route at the end of September 2010, citing commercial reasons for doing so. The route has been unprofitable and since the charter on the current vessel, the Pride of Bilbao ends, there is no justification to order a replacement ship.

The news will come as a blow to those who rely on the ferry as a convenient way to travel to with their car to Spain and Southern France, although there will still be the alternative route of Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander operated by Brittany Ferries.

The service will operate as normal through 2010, and any bookings made up to the 27th September will go ahead as planned. Customers who have booked beyond this date will be contacted by P&O to make alternative arrangements.

It’s the end of an era for the 15 year old service, and P&O are doing what they can to mitigate any job losses – a total of 250 people currently service the Pride of Bilbao on this route.

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