Connections to the Balearic Islands and Corsica from Sète: “an initial positive outcome” for Corsica Ferries

Les bateaux de Corsica Ferries pourraient refaire des liaisons vers l'Île-Rousse en septembre. DR

Le 22 janvier dernier, la compagnie maritime Corsica Ferries a annoncé l'ouverture de deux nouvelles lignes de ferries depuis Sète.

Going to the Balearic Islands or Corsica from the singular island is the promise made by Corsica Ferries last month. Since this announcement met with a very positive response in the Thau basin, initial lessons can already be learned. And they smell good, according to the words of Fabien Agostini, ports director at Corsica Ferries.

A clientele from the southwest

"The ticket office opened a month ago now and the trend is already good", underlines- he first. If for the moment, it is too early to have figures, "this first assessment is positive", insists Fabien Agostini.

By establishing itself in Sète, the shipping company's main objective was to seek out a new clientele: those from the west of the country. And the gamble seems to be paying off. "For both lines, the main customers are people from Sète and its surrounding areas. It must be said that demand was strong here. Then come the people from the southwest as we hoped. Finally, for ferries to Majorca, we have a German clientele", reveals the  director of ports at Corsica Ferries.

However, this is only a provisional assessment, to be taken with a pinch of salt. "Because most travelers book three weeks before their departure, due to the economic situation" and have therefore not yet taken their ticket.

The lines preserved in 2025 ?

At the same time, and while the season has not yet started, Corsica Ferries is already working to "add trips to the' Île-Rousse, if the figures are positive. "We're thinking about it and it's even being discussed", confirms Fabien Agostini.

As for the idea of ​​a renewal of the two lines for 2025, this remains to be defined. "2024 is a test year. If the clientele is there, we'll see. We will make the decision at the end of the year when drawing up a more general assessment. But the long-term objective would be to keep these lines and this openness by capturing this new market, as well as developing new destinations from France", concludes Fabien Agostini.

I subscribe to read more