Brittany Ferries completes fleet renewal with fifth new ship

The fifth new ship poised to enter service this month will see Brittany Ferries compete a five-year fleet renewal project.

The 1,300-passenger capacity hybrid vessel Bienvenue Guillaume de Normandie is to start sailing on the Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham) route on April 18.

Guillaume de Normandie is the company’s second new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-electric hybrid, joining sister ship Saint-Malo, which began operating in February.

The arrival of the latest ferry marks the end of the largest investment in fleet renewal in Brittany Ferries’ history with five new ships joining the fleet between 2020 and 2025.

Although powered by LNG, the new addition will switch to electric power when entering Portsmouth harbour and while manoeuvring at the quay, resulting in zero emissions.

Guillaume de Normandie also has plug in shore power capability in advance of electrical installation work in Portsmouth International Port. 

When complete, there will be no need for ships to run engines while in the port due to the direct connection to shore. The ship’s batteries can be also re-charged ahead of departure.

The ferry features 220 cabins, including 21 which are pet-friendly.