Palma to France ferry all ready to set sail

Sea links between the Balearics and the rest of Europe will enter into a whole new era this month with the launch of the new ferry service between Palma and the French Mediterranean port of Sete. The first ferry will set sail on May 13 and the Ville de Sete will be able to carry a maximum of 1'000 passengers and 250 cars or alternatively 35 lorries. The new service was unveiled yesterday at the headquarters of the Majorcan, Minorcan and Ibizan Chamber of Commerce in Palma and the sea link is expected to not only help boost the tourist industry but also offer new opportunities for commerce at both ends of the route. The port of Sete is close to Montpellier and all parties involved are confident that the route will compete with existing links between Majorca and Barcelona and provide Majorca with a new access to Europe. The new ferry is expected to carry some 70'000 passengers, 20'000 cars and 3'000 lorries per year and take an estimated 11 per cent of the business currently being shipped between Barcelona and Palma.