New hybrid Brittany Ferries ship starts sea trials
Vessel has capability to ply into power at Portsmouth port
Kass
A new Brittany Ferries new hybrid ship has started sea trials ahead of entering service from Portsmouth in the new year.
The Far East tests for 1,900-passenger Saint-Malo include its LNG (liquefied natural gas)-electric drivetrain.
The vessel is due to arrive in the UK to serve the Portsmouth-St Malo route in January with its first commercial sailing scheduled for February 12, 2025.
The launch – plus sister ship Guillaume de Normandie in April – coincides with the installation of plug-in power at Portsmouth International Port.
This will be only the second port in the UK with shore power infrastructure, and the only one supplying ferries.
When manoeuvring and when alongside in port, the ships will run on pure battery power with zero emissions.
Brittany Ferries chief executive Christophe Mathieu said: “Saint-Malo will be the fourth new vessel to join our fleet, in the biggest fleet renewal programme in our company’s history.
“Our new hybrids are significant steps on our journey to a more sustainable future.
“Hybrid technology may be their party piece, but the ships are also love letters to the regions they serve. Stepping on board will be like your first step into a region where your holiday begins.”
