BRITTANY Ferries' plan to open a new route connecting the UK and France with Portugal has been shelved.

The French shipping company, which operates the Barfleur ferry on the Poole to Cherbourg crossing, had been considering Porto as a destination after Portugal was added to the UK's green travel list.

However, Brittany Ferries' chief executive officer Christophe Mathieu has now confirmed the route will not be taken on for the time being.

He said: "Operationally Porto would work, but commercially it would not."

The company had sent a team to Porto ahead of any final decision, to ensure infrastructure and ship-to-shore ramps were suitable to welcome its flagship Pont-Aven vessel.

Monsieur Mathieu said: "Their arrival coincided with breaking news from the Spanish authorities.

"Spain would be open to British travellers from Monday the 24th of May, the reports said, without any need for a PCR test."

The Porto team then reported back that the port was suitable for the Pont-Aven.

M Mathieu said: "However, commercially, the news from Spain was a game changer.

"We considered it carefully within the context of the potential for Spain to join Portugal on the green list, following the first review of the traffic light system by UK government in early June."

The next green list review is scheduled for Monday, June 7, a fortnight before the next major milestone on the roadmap out of lockdown.

M Mathieu said: "We scrutinised data carefully. New Covid cases in Spain have fallen to their lowest level since August last year and the vaccination programme has also moved on apace in the last four weeks.

"Half of all Spaniards have now been vaccinated. Our conclusion therefore is that Spain is highly likely to be added to the green list in June."

Brittany Ferries also had concerns about existing customers with reservations on the Pont-Aven, and the likelihood they would have to be re-accommodated onto other ships or moved to the Porto sailing if they wished.

M Mathieu said: "So - regrettably - the plan has been shelved. For now at least.

"For sure, your reaction to the proposal has been overwhelming.

"On social media, in calls to our call centres, and in messages sent directly to many colleagues in the business, support has been overwhelming. Most of you urged us to do it.

"Some even offered to pay double for the first crossing. So if this has taught us one thing, it is that there is certainly enthusiasm for a service to Portugal by sea."