The Brittany Ferries company, in great difficulty because of Brexit and the health crisis, will benefit from an exceptional state subsidy of 45 million euros, as well as the waiver of debts for a total of 16 million euros, announced Friday Matignon.
Read also Brittany Ferries sinks a little deeper into the crisis
"The State has decided to provide Brittany Ferries with aid in the form of a subsidy of 45 million euros,"
said Prime Minister Jean Castex's office in a press release. The State is counting on the Brexit adjustment reserve, the European fund to help companies most affected by Brexit, to take charge of this aid, he underlines, adding that it is part of the waiver of a 10 million euro debt from Ademe and six million euro aid from the Brittany region.
Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire announced on September 24, after agreement from the European Commission, state aid of 60 million euros for the shipping company, but in the form of a very long-term loan. The company based in Roscoff (Finistère) had to close many lines between France and England and resorted to emergency measures put in place by the government to reduce its costs, in particular short-time working and a loan guaranteed by the State (PGE) in the amount of 117 million euros.
“For more than a year, the State has been strongly mobilized to support Brittany Ferries, in order to ensure the sustainability of this company,”
emphasizes Matignon.
"The strengthening of the financial structure of Brittany Ferries is however necessary"
, he adds, indicating that the support of the State is
"conditioned on the effort of the banks, and of the other financers"
of the company
"within the framework of the financing plan of the company and in particular for the financing options for its ships ”
.
"Excellent news"
"This is excellent news," said
Jean-Marc Roué, president of Brittany Ferries, to AFP.
"The company today is able to say that its future and its sustainability are assured,"
he added.
"This grant reinforces an emblematic model of national know-how"
, reacted for her part the Minister of the Sea Annick Girardin, highlighting the choice by the company
"of the French flag, of the establishment in France and which involves an economy of the entire Breton and Norman coastline ”
.
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