Brittany Ferries says it is plotting a recovery course after what it described as “a dreadful 2020.”

The company, which operates out of the Port of Poole, saw overall passenger numbers fall to less than a third of normal levels.

On its Cherbourg to Poole route the fall was even more dramatic with 35,002 passengers in 2020 compared with 207,831 in the previous 12 months.

Freight fared slightly better, with overall figures down by 20 per cent.

But on the Cherbourg to Poole route, the number of freight units dropped from 19,499 in 2019 to 7,700 in 2020.

Company turnover more than halved, from €469m to €202.4m, as lockdown measures and restrictions on travel in all markets forced passengers to stay at home.

Brittany Ferries has now embarked on a robust five-year recovery plan to bridge the immediate crisis and prepare for a return to normal service.

It has also commissioned independent analysis of the passenger market by London-based consultancy LEK.

Its findings suggest that passenger volumes are expected to have recovered to 2019 levels by 2022.

Freight volumes are also expected to improve.

Thanks to its five-year recovery plan – and with ongoing support from banks and the French government – Brittany Ferries says it can, therefore, look beyond the current storm with optimism.

Jean Marc Roué, President, pictured left, said: “In the last few years Brittany Ferries faced a double strike, firstly as a consequence of Brexit challenges and then as a result of Covid.

“On Brexit, the unfavourable Sterling-Euro exchange rate hit our bottom line.

“The value of Sterling plummeted directly after the 2016 vote and, since then, the company lost €115m in potential income as the majority of revenue is generated in Sterling and costs come in Euros.

“Brexit concerns also affected demand.

“Three potential dates for the UK’s departure from the EU in 2019 created uncertainty and anxiety in the marketplace and passenger numbers fell by five per cent.

“Despite these challenges, we remained profitable.

“However, last year, the Covid crisis brought our company to its knees.

“It struck a blow for the regions we serve and enrich, and the French seafarers we are proud to employ.

“Despite this, we are determined to remain part of the fabric of life in the north west of France as well as in the UK, Ireland and Spain and we must thank the regions of Normandy and Brittany, the banks and French state for their on-going support throughout this dark period.

“With a collective will to return stronger, I believe Brittany Ferries will overcome the greatest challenge in its history.”

Last year, Brittany Ferries carried 752,102 passengers compared to 2,498,354 across all routes in 2019.

The company’s five-year recovery plan includes greener vessels with two further E-Flexer class vessels joining sister-ship Galicia in 2022 and 2023.

Salamanca and Santoña will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Commenting on the year ahead and the conclusions of the LEK study, Christophe Mathieu, Chief Executive Officer, pictured right, said: “There is no doubt 2021 will be another tough year for our company.

“However, we will continue on the path to recovery, taking tough decisions if necessary but encouraged by the findings of this independent report which show the market is ready to bounce back.

“We will always place the long-term interest of Brittany Ferries at heart and as long as we continue to be supported by our staff, shareholders, the banks, as well as by regional and national governments, I believe we can navigate a path through the storm.

“The future for Brittany Ferries can be as bright as the rich history which precedes it.”

In a non-Covid year, Brittany Ferries has 12 ships operating services connecting France, the UK, Ireland and Spain across 14 routes.