The way I heard it, the financial subsidy was not renewed to P&O. This may have been the real cause of the withdrawal of the service.
I work in the port of Bilbao, loading my own company ships on a monthly basis, so the information came came from various sources. Looking at the small number of passengers on the decks, I sometimes wondered how long the calls would last...........
I attach a photo of the "Cape Finisterre" entering Bilbao on November 24th. She came in mid-morning and sailed the same afternoon. Very slow berthing operation due to being her first visit.
Scotsman.