Freight News, Sea


Early end for Poole-Cherbourg and Portsmouth-Le Havre services

[ October 2, 2026   //   ]

Brittany Ferries is to discontinue its direct Poole-Cherbourg Portsmouth-Le Havre services earlier than planned due to technical problems with one its vessel. It will move the ro-pax vessel Barfleur to cover Rosslare/Cherbourg sailings from 12 October and had already announced its intention to sell Cotentin which currently serves Rosslare-Cherbourg with withdrawal by mid-October at the latest.

A potential back-up vessel, the Commodore Clipper suffered a gearbox failure in September, necessitating its withdrawal from the fleet pending remedial work.

Clipper’s gearbox problem also forced the early closure of the Portsmouth-Le Havre route.

Chief executive Christophe Mathieu, said: “The reality is that, post Brexit, Rosslare/Cherbourg has become a strategically significant route for Brittany Ferries, carrying nearly 25% of all freight traffic so we must prioritise. I know there will be disappointment with this operational change, and I apologise to all those travelling from Poole in the latter half of October.”

Earlier, Brittany Ferries said it would charter a new ro-Pax ferry, the Wexford to replace the Norbay on its Cherbourg/Rosslare route to begin operations in March 2027, making three weekly return crossings along with one Portsmouth-Cherbourg rotation.

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