Company type | Private company |
---|---|
Industry | Passenger transportation Freight transportation Holidays |
Founded | 1973 |
Founder | Alexis Gourvennec |
Headquarters | Roscoff, France |
Area served | France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain |
Key people | Jean-Marc Roué Christophe Mathieu Frédéric Pouget Corinne Vintner |
Revenue | €444.2 million (2018) |
Total assets | €444.2 million (2018) |
Owner | BAI Bretagne Angleterre Irlande S.A. |
Number of employees | 2,787 (2018 average - high and low seasons) [1] |
Website | brittany-ferries brittany-ferries brittany-ferries |
Brittany Ferries is the trading name of the French shipping company, BAI Bretagne Angleterre Irlande S.A. founded in 1973 by Alexis Gourvennec, that operates a fleet of ferries and cruiseferries between France and the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain, and between Spain and Ireland and the United Kingdom.
BAI (Bretagne Angleterre Irlande) S.A. was founded by Alexis Gourvennec. Working with fellow Breton farmers, Gourvennec lobbied for improvements to Brittany's infrastructure, including better roads, telephone network, education and port access. By 1972 he had successfully secured funding and work to develop a deep-water port at Roscoff. Gourvennec had no desire to run a ferry service, but existing operators showed little appetite for the opportunity.
The company itself began sailings on 2 January 1973 between Roscoff in Brittany and Plymouth in the South West of England, using the freight ferry Kerisnel, a former Israeli tank carrier. The company's primary aim at that time was to exploit opportunities presented by the UK's entry into the European Common Market, forerunner to the European Union, in order to export directly to markets in the United Kingdom.
In 1974, Kerisnel was replaced by Penn-Ar-Bed, which carried both passengers and vehicles, and the BAI company adopted the name Brittany Ferries. [2]
In late 2009, the new Poole–Santander freight-only service was deemed a success and the frequency was doubled: there would now be two services a week operated by Cotentin. In November 2009, Armorique was laid up for the rest of the winter season. Major changes were announced in December 2009. Barfleur was withdrawn from service at the end of January 2010 after nearly 18 years service on the Poole–Cherbourg route. The service was temporarily served by Armorique, which came back to service earlier than originally planned. The Poole–Santander service reverted to one sailing a week with Cotentin covering freight on the Poole–Cherbourg service in the absence of Barfleur. Condor Vitesse continued to operate one round sailing a day in the summer months between the two ports. Cap Finistère ran between Portsmouth and Santander twice a week and also operated three round trips a week between Portsmouth and Cherbourg. In September 2010, Brittany Ferries announced plans to serve the Portsmouth–Bilbao route recently abandoned by P&O Ferries. [3] The route started on 27 March 2011.
On 21 September 2012, Brittany Ferries cancelled sailings indefinitely following two days of wildcat strikes caused by crew members who were unhappy with changes in working terms and conditions. Meetings took place between management and unions to negotiate the management proposals. A vote was taken on 30 September by union members to decide if the management proposals would be accepted. The crew members accepted the proposal and services resumed on 2 October after 12 days without services. During this period, Brittany Ferries made special arrangements with P&O Ferries and MyFerryLink to accept tickets on the Dover–Calais route. Unused tickets were refunded. [4] Services were not affected on the Poole–Cherbourg route which was being operated by Condor Ferries.
In 2018, Brittany Ferries commenced service between Cork, Ireland, and Santander. This was cancelled and effectively replaced in February 2020 by the Rosslare–Bilbao service which runs twice weekly. [5] A seasonal service between Rosslare and Roscoff is also offered. [6]
From late March 2020, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Brittany Ferries was forced to cancel all passenger sailings until 15 May 2020 after British government advice was issued against all travel. [7] Initially they had been offering refund vouchers valid for 2 years for affected customers. Many customers were unsatisfied with vouchers and had requested a refund. Brittany Ferries had begun to issue refunds in the last week of April for customers that wished for a refund. Customers were entitled to a refund under EU regulation 1177/2010. [8]
On 23 July 2020, Brittany Ferries announced the launch of a brand new Rosslare–Cherbourg service.
On 19 August 2020, as a consequence of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the company confirmed that it was reducing ferry services from the end of August and laying up various ships, beginning with Armorique and Bretagne. Further schedule changes were likely in the months ahead, the company confirmed in March 2021. It also confirmed the launch of a five-year recover plan following the loss of more than half of its revenue, the consequence of restrictions on passenger traffic in all markets in which it operates. [9]
On 20 July 2021, Brittany Ferries announced at a press conference in Paris that it had secured a charter with Stena RoRo for 2 more E-Flexers. The new vessels are due to replace the MV Normandie on the Portsmouth–Caen route and MV Bretagne on the Portsmouth–St Malo Route. The charter is expected to run for 10 years with the option to purchase after 4 years. [10]
On 8 August 2024, Brittany Ferries announced its intention to become the majority stakeholder of Condor Ferries, pending approval of regulators in Jersey and Guernsey. [11]
Ship | Built | Entered service | Gross tonnage | Length | Beam | Service speed | Vessel type | Port of registry | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armorique | 2009 | 2009 | 29,468 GT | 168.30 m | 26.8 m | 25 knots | Cruise Ferry | Morlaix | In Service |
Barfleur | 1992 | 1992 | 20,133 GT | 158.7 m | 23.3 m | 19.5 knots | Cruise Ferry | Cherbourg | In Service |
Cotentin | 2007 | 2007 | 22,252 GT | 167.00m | 26.80m | 23 knots | Freight Ferry | Cherbourg | In Service |
Galicia | 2020 | 2020 | 41,671 GT | 214.50 m | 27.8 m | 22 knots | Cruise Ferry | Morlaix | In Service |
MN Pelican | 1999 | 2016 | 12,076 GT | 155.5 m | 22.7 m | 20 knots | Freight Ferry | Marseille | In Service |
Mont St Michel | 2002 | 2002 | 35,586 GT | 173.95 m | 28.5 m | 22 knots | Cruise Ferry | Caen | In Service |
Normandie | 1992 | 1992 | 27,451 GT | 161.40 m | 26.0 m | 20.5 knots | Cruise Ferry | Caen | In Service |
Pont-Aven | 2004 | 2004 | 40,859 GT | 184.3 m | 31.0 m | 27 knots | Cruise Ferry | Morlaix | In Service |
Salamanca | 2021 | 2022 | 41,863 GT | 214.50 m | 27.8 m | 22 knots | Cruise Ferry | Morlaix | In Service |
Santoña | 2022 | 2023 | 42,400 GT | 214.50 m | 27.8 m | 22 knots | Cruise Ferry | Morlaix | In Service |
Ship | Built | Entered service | Gross tonnage | Length | Beam | Service speed | Vessel type | Port of registry | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint-Malo | On Order | On order | 38,000 GT | 194.00 m | 27.8 m | 23 knots | Cruise Ferry | Morlaix | Due for delivered [12] |
Guillaume de Normandie | On Order | On order | 38,000 GT | 194.00 m | 27.8 m | 23 knots | Cruise Ferry | Caen | Due for delivery in Spring 2025 [13] |
Ship | Built | In service | Tonnage | Current status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kerisnel | 1973 | 1973 | 1,983 GT | Sank while under tow to Turkish breakers on 15 May 2014 |
Bénodet | 1970 | 1983-1985 | 4,317 GT | Scrapped in Turkey, 2021 |
Goelo | 1967 | 1980-1982 | 5,149 GT | Scrapped in Turkey, 2001 |
Penn-Ar-Bed | 1974 | 1974 | 6,399 GT | Scrapped in India, 2004 |
Armorique | 1972 | 1976-1993 | 8,181 GT | Sunk in The Java Sea, 2011 |
Cornouailles | 1977 | 1977 | 6,918 GT | Scrapped in Turkey, 2013 |
Reine Mathilde | 1970 | 1978-1992 | 7,747 GT | Scrapped in India, 2005 |
Breizh Izel | 1970 | 1980 | 6,576 GT | Scrapped in Turkey, 2014 |
Tregastel | 1971 | 1985 | 8,696 GT | Sold to Baaboud Shipping as MS Noor. Sold for scrap in 2022 |
Coutances | 1970 | 1985-2008 | 6,507 GT | Sank in Puerto la Cruz, 2018 |
Purbeck | 1978 | 1985 | 6,507 GT | Sank in Puerto la Cruz, 2018 |
Quiberon | 1975 | 1982-2002 | 11,813 GT | Renamed D'Abundo and sent to Alang for scrapping |
Duc de Normandie | 1978 | 1986-2005 | 13,505 GT | Scrapped in Aliaga in 2021 as the Damla |
Duchesse Anne | 1979 | 1988-1996 | 9,795 GT | Since 1996, with Jadrolinija as Dubrovnik |
Val de Loire | 1986 | 1993-2006 | 31,564 GT | Since 2006, with DFDS Seaways as King Seaways |
Pont L'Abbe | 1978 | 2006-2009 | 17,564 GT | Since 2009, with Moby Lines as Moby Corse |
Baie de Seine | 2001 | 2015-2020 | 22,382 GT | Returned to DFDS Seaways in March 2020 as Sirena Seaways |
Kerry | 2001 | 2019-2020 | 24,418 GT | Returned to Stena Line in November 2020 |
Etretat | 2008 | 2014-2021 | 26,904 GT | Returned to Stena Line in April 2021, as Stena Livia |
Normandie Express | 2000 | 2005-2021 | 6,581 GT | Chartered to Condor Ferries in May 2021 as Condor Voyager |
Cap Finistère | 2001 | 2010-2022 | 32,728 GT | Sold to Grandi Navi Veloci in January 2022 as GNV Spirit |
Connemara | 2007 | 2018-2022 | 27,414 GT | Sold to StraitNZ in December 2022 as Connemara |
Bretagne | 1989 | 1989-2024 | 24,534 GT | Awaiting sale |
Route | Vessel |
---|---|
Portsmouth ⇄ Caen | Mont St Michel and Normandie |
Portsmouth ⇄ Le Havre | Cotentin |
Portsmouth ⇄ Cherbourg | Galicia and Santoña |
Portsmouth ⇄ Saint Malo | Saint-Malo |
Portsmouth ⇄ Santander | Santoña |
Portsmouth ⇄ Bilbao | Galicia |
Poole ⇄ Cherbourg | Barfleur |
Poole ⇄ Bilbao | MN Pelican (Freight only) |
Plymouth ⇄ Roscoff | Armorique and Pont-Aven |
Plymouth ⇄ Santander | Pont-Aven |
Cork ⇄ Roscoff | Pont-Aven and Armorique |
Rosslare ⇄ Cherbourg | Galicia, Cotentin and Commodore Clipper (Freight Only) |
Rosslare ⇄ Le Havre | Cotentin |
Rosslare ⇄ Bilbao | Salamanca |
Rosslare Europort is a modern seaport located at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland, near the southeasternmost point of the island of Ireland. The port is the primary Irish port serving the European Continent with 36 direct services to the Continent weekly. It handles passenger and freight ferries to and from Cherbourg, Dunkirk, St Malo and Roscoff, in France, Bilbao in Spain and Fishguard and Pembroke Dock in the United Kingdom. Since July 2022, a new freight route between Rosslare and Zeebrugge, Belgium was introduced by Finnlines for a twice weekly ro-ro service between the two ports.
Portsmouth Harbour is a 1,264.2-hectare (3,124-acre)/12.6 km2 (4.9 sq mi) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Portsmouth and Gosport in Hampshire. It is a Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area.
Roscoff is a commune in the Finistère département of Brittany in northwestern France.
P&O Ferries is a British shipping company that operates ferries from United Kingdom to Northern Ireland, and to Continental Europe. The company was created in 2002 through mergers and acquisitions within P&O. It has been owned by Dubai-based DP World since 2019.
Condor Ferries is an operator of passenger and freight ferry services between the United Kingdom, Guernsey, Jersey and France.
MS Barfleur is a ferry operated by Brittany Ferries on the route between Poole on the south coast of England and Cherbourg, France. She was built at Masa Yards Turku New Shipyard in Finland for the Brittany Ferries subsidiary Truckline and entered service in 1992. In 1999 she was repainted in Brittany Ferries standard livery. Barfleur was the last ship to carry the 1983–2002 version of the Brittany Ferries logo and livery which was replaced by the post-2002 version in March 2009. She sails under the French flag and is registered in Cherbourg. Excluding the HSC Normandie Express and RoRo cargo vessels, she is the smallest passenger vessel in Brittany Ferries' fleet.
MV Bretagne is a ferry that was operated by Brittany Ferries. She was built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France and was the first purpose built ship for the company and sailed for Brittany Ferries for 35 years from 1989 until 2024. She was Brittany Ferries flagship until the arrival of MV Val de Loire in 1993.
Pont-Aven is a cruiseferry operated by Brittany Ferries. She was built at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and has been sailing for Brittany Ferries since March 2004. She is the current and longest serving Brittany Ferries flagship; sailing between the UK, France, Spain and Ireland. Pont Aven is the fastest and largest purpose-built cruise-ferry on the English Channel.
Moby Corse is a ferry owned and operated by Moby Lines. She was built at Aalborg Værft A/S in Denmark for DFDS Seaways as MV Dana Anglia and entered service with them in 1978. She sailed between Esbjerg, Denmark and Harwich, United Kingdom between 1978 and 2002 before being renamed MV Duke of Scandinavia for service between Copenhagen, Denmark and Gdańsk, Poland. She returned to the North Sea in 2003 to sail between Newcastle and IJmuiden.
The M/V Rosa Eugenia, formerly the Coutances and Outances is a freight ferry owned by Conferry and previously operated by Brittany Ferries. It was built at Ateliers et Chantiers du Havre shipyard in France for Truckline Ferries and entered service in 1977. In 1985 Truckline was purchased by Brittany Ferries and in 1986 they sent Coutances and her sister Purbeck to be lengthened which increased their capacity by 34%. In 2004 Coutances was repainted in Brittany Ferries livery. She has sailed for most of her life between Poole and Cherbourg though was briefly replaced by the Normandie Shipper in the early nineties. In November 2007 Coutances was replaced on most Poole-Cherbourg sailings by the Cotentin, a new freight ferry constructed by Aker Finnyards. Coutances was withdrawn from service on 1 May 2008. In late July 2008 she was sold to Conferry of Venezuela owners of the former Purbeck, Coutances' sister ship.
HSC Condor Voyager is a high-speed catamaran ferry, owned by Brittany Ferries and chartered to Condor Ferries. Since being built in 2000, the vessel has borne the names Incat Tasmania, The Lynx and Normandie Express. She is designed to travel at speeds of up to 46-and-a-half knots, giving a journey time between Portsmouth and the Normandy ports of three hours per crossing.
The Port of Bilbao is located on the Bilbao Abra bay, and along the Estuary of Bilbao, in Biscay. The main facilities are in the Santurtzi and Zierbena municipalities, approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Bilbao. Also called Exterior Port and Superpuerto, the port complex occupies 3.13 km2 of land and 16.94 km2 of water along 17 km (10.6 mi) of waterfront.
LD Lines was a French shipping company, with both roro freight and passenger ferry operations. It was a subsidiary of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA), which engages in building, owning, operating, and managing vessels. LD Lines operated ferry routes on the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea.
Cotentin is a ROPAX ferry owned and operated by Brittany Ferries between Poole and Cherbourg from January until March 2021 and then Portsmouth and Le Havre from March 2021 until June 2021. She previously operated for Brittany Ferries between 2007 and 2013 between Poole–Cherbourg before being chartered to Stena Line as Stena Baltica serving the route between Gdynia and Karlskrona. The vessel was constructed by Aker Finnyards in Finland and delivered to Brittany Ferries on 9 November 2007. Cotentin sails under the French flag and is registered in Morlaix. The ship's gross tonnage is 22,308.
The MV Armorique is a passenger and freight ferry built for Brittany Ferries by STX Europe in Finland at a cost of £81 million. The vessel was delivered to Brittany Ferries on 26 January 2009, it was originally planned for her to be delivered in September 2008. Armorique is named after a national park of outstanding beauty in western Brittany. Armorique was also the name of a previous Brittany Ferries vessel purchased for service between Portsmouth and St Malo in 1975 and sold in 1993.
British Channel Island Ferries (BCIF) was a ferry operator who ran services between the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.
Musthika Kencana II was a passenger ferry which was built in 1973 as Terje Vigen for DA-NO Linien. She was sold to Brittany Ferries in 1975 and renamed Armorique. She was sold to Xiamen Ocean Shipping Co in 1993 and renamed Min Nan. In 1998, she was sold to the Weihai Ferry Co and renamed Sheng Sheng. In 2003, she was sold to Dharma Lautan Utama, Belize. In 2005, she was sold to Jalan Kangina, Surabaya and was renamed Tirta Kencana I. She was renamed Musthika Kencana II in 2009. She caught fire off Java on 4 July 2011 and sank the next day.
Sirena Seaways is a RoPax ferry that as of April 2020 operates for DFDS Seaways, between Klaipėda and Karlshamn. The vessel previously operated for DFDS Seaways between Paldiski and Kapellskär, as well as between Esbjerg and Harwich. Between 2015 and 2020, the vessel operated as Baie de Seine for Brittany Ferries on a variety of different routes between Portsmouth, France, and Spain.
GNV Spirit is a cruiseferry owned by GNV and operated by GNV between Tyrrhenian Sea & Spain. She was acquired in 2022 by Grandi Navi Veloci from Brittany Ferries for an undisclosed amount.
Stena Livia is a roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) ferry operated by Stena Line on their Travemünde–Liepāja service. It was built in 2008, and originally named Norman Voyager.