Ferry travel: News in brief

Brittany Ferries has acquired another ferry for the Portsmouth-Santander route launched last year. The Cap Finistère ferry will sail two daily return crossings to Santander, with one-way fares from £227 for two people, a car and cabin. It will also sail Portsmouth-Cherbourg.

Brittany is also axing its conventional Poole-Cherbourg ferry service on March 8, although a high-speed summer service will operate from May 17 to September 26 this year.

Stena Line is launching the first of two 1,200-passenger Superferries on the Harwich-Hook of Holland route in May. Each ferry will have self-service and à la carte restaurants, a business lounge and internet. The two ferries cost more than £380 million in total.

P&O Ferries is to launch two new vessels on the Dover-Calais route in December 2010 and September 2011. The ferries will be the biggest on the short-sea route, with space for 195 cars and coaches and 2,000 passengers. They will replace Pride of Dover and Pride of Calais.

LD Lines is launching a summer-only fast-ferry Portsmouth-Le Havre service at Easter. There will be one return sailing a day, with a crossing time of three hours, 15 minutes, and prices from £109 one-way for a car and two passengers.

SeaFrance is launched a Multi-Ticket Carnet offering passengers three return crossings for £32 each way for a car and up to five passengers. The price falls to £26 each way if clients buy nine return crossings.