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French strikes: Ferry services between Portsmouth and Le Havre are cancelled

Strike action in France has led to Brittany Ferries cancelling its services between Portsmouth and Le Havre.

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French strikes- latest from Brittany Ferries

Credit: PA

Brittany Ferries say that despite strike action at French ports, the vast majority of their sailings today are unaffected.

Earlier today on their website there were warnings of delays between Portsmouth and Le Havre, and Portsmouth and St Malo.

But now it appears the only sailing to be cancelled is tonight's overnight ferry from Le Havre to Portsmouth.

Travel information on the Brittany Ferries website Credit: Brittany Ferries

However they've also issued us a statement in the last hour with advice for passengers taking their cars to France, because of problems with the fuel supply

All our services to and from France are operating to schedule (these operate from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth to Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff).

In general the fuel situation in the North West of France (and indeed across the country) continues to improve. For example, most of the stations in Brittany are back in operation and there is now almost no rationing at the pump.

We are advising customers to travel with a full tank of fuel and to fill up when they can in France, but there is certainly no suggestion that France is running dry. And the fuel supply situation continues to improve.

Despite the difficulties, our crew, staff and customers have been able to find fuel (we have 2,000 crew in France), sometimes with the help of external websites like www.carbeo.com and www.mon-essence.fr.

For safety reasons, petrol cans are strictly forbidden onboard our ferries, and the transport of diesel in vehicles is only permitted in containers/jerry cans specifically constructed for the carriage of diesel and to a maximum of 5 litres per vehicle.

– Brittany ferries spokesman

Several ferry routes disrupted due to strike action

Industrial action by port workers in France has led Brittany Ferries to delay or cancel some services over the bank holiday weekend.

British travellers are being encouraged to think ahead as general strikes over labour law reforms in France have also left fuel in short supply. Blockades by workers have disrupted six oil refineries, meaning fuel rationing may be imposed.

This is the latest on the ferries:

  • 26/05/16 Cherbourg to Portsmouth 17h00 (Normandie Express) - This sailing will be delayed and will now depart Cherbourg at 18h00, arriving into Portsmouth at 20h00.
  • 26/05/16 Portsmouth to St Malo 20h15 (Bretagne) - This sailing will now arrive in St Malo at 09h15 on Friday morning, 1 hour later than scheduled.
  • 27/05/16 St Malo to Portsmouth 10h30 (Bretagne) - This sailing will depart 1 hour later at 11h30. Latest check-in is now 10h45. Arrival remains unchanged at 18h20.
  • 26/05/16 Le Havre to Portsmouth 22h00 (Etretat) has been cancelled.
  • 26/05/16 Portsmouth to Le Havre 23h15 (Baie de Seine) has been cancelled.
  • 27/05/16 Le Havre to Portsmouth 22h00 (Baie de Seine) has been cancelled.
  • 26/05/16 Cherbourg to Poole 18h30 (Barfleur) - This sailing will be delayed and will now depart Cherbourg at 19h30, arriving into Poole at 22h45.
  • All other services are operating to schedule.

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Ferry services between Portsmouth and Le Havre cancelled

Brittany Ferries has cancelled services between Portsmouth and Le Havre Credit: ITV News

Strike action in France has led to the cancellation of Brittany ferry services between Portsmouth and Le Havre.

The services cancelled today are:

Le Havre to Portsmouth 2200

Portsmouth to Le Havre 2315

Tomorrow the Le Havre to Portsmouth 2200 has also been cancelled.

All other services to and from the ports of Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff are operating as normal.

Because of the on-going fuel strikes in France Brittany Ferries is urging customers to depart with enough fuel to reach their destination in France, or to leave with a full tank of petrol or diesel.

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