Cap Finistere launched Brittany Ferries’ new service between Portsmouth and Bilbao on 27 March, but almost at the 11th hour there was a change of terminal at the Spanish end. The 32,728gt vessel, built as Superfast V in 2000, sails twice weekly, but not to the Santurzi terminal used for 17 years until P&O’s service closed last September. It has a new base at Zierbena, which is around four kilometres closer to the sea and offers drivers better access to the newly-built link with Spain’s A8 motorway.
Modifications to Cap Finistere during a visit to Remontowa, Gdansk included the creation of a large children’s playground, a cinema, an additional café and, for passengers with dogs, ten new pet-friendly cabins (giving a total of 14) and a dedicated dog-walking area.
Barfleur (1992/20,133gt) reopened the Brittany Ferries service between Poole and Cherbourg on 27 February after emerging from lay-up in Caen.