The BreizhGo Penn Ar Bed Shipping Company

The link between the mainland and the islands

In the past, travelling to the islands of the Iroise Sea was quite a hassle. The crossings were operated by fishermen, who would decide whether or not to take passengers on board at their request.

The company’s history began nearly a century ago in our region of Finistère.
In 1917, the Departmental Council decided to establish and operate its first public shipping company, which would later be known as ‘SMD’ (Service Maritime Départemental). Steamships provided services to the islands two or three times a week. Many ships followed one after another, each more efficient than the last, and 1992 saw the privatisation of the service. Under a public service delegation agreement, the Departmental Council entrusted the shipping company BreizhGo Penn ar Bed, a subsidiary of the KEOLIS Group, with the task of providing maritime services to the islands of Ouessant, Molène and Sein.

The Company today

Since 1 January 2017, the Brittany Region has been responsible for transport services to the islands of Ouessant, Molène and Sein, which were previously managed by the Department. The Region has chosen to establish a large, unified and multimodal regional public transport network (train, coach, boat) known as BreizhGo, which is already displayed on the hulls of the vessels operated by the Company. Today, this fleet of six vessels makes 1,520 round trips each year, enabling 370,000 journeys to be made annually.

Whether in Brest, Le Conquet or Audierne, they have been part of our landscape for years. Over time, the boats of the BreizhGo Penn Ar Bed Maritime Company have become an integral part of Finistère’s heritage. They have become a familiar sight in the local landscape and a part of people’s daily lives.

Islands and People: Our Values

“Islands and People”: this is the brand slogan adopted by the BreizhGo Penn Ar Bed Shipping Company, which sets the tone.
Penn Ar Bed aims to be a unifying company, forging links between the islands and visitors, and between the mainland and the islands, whilst playing an active role in promoting the islands.

Every day, all year round, sailors, cabin crew, forklift operators, and staff from the administrative and sales departments – a total of 120 people – work together to ensure you have an unforgettable crossing to the islands of Ouessant, Molène and Sein.

A warm welcome, professionalism and responsiveness are our watchwords.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch – Emmanuelle, Aurélie, Isabelle, Marie, Marine, Mélissa, Nicolas, Justine, Corinne, Tiphanny, Armelle… will be delighted to welcome you, offer advice and answer any questions you may have to ensure you’re completely satisfied, because at Penn Ar Bed, we offer you the islands… AND MUCH MORE!

CO₂ emissions per journey per passenger (in kg)

CO₂ emissions per unit transported per kilometre: 879 g CO₂e/passenger/km