Brittany Ferries announces major route changes as Portsmouth to Le Havre set to be axed amid financial struggles
Au revoir Le Havre, bonjour Cherbourg
Brittany Ferries have announced major changes to its routes to France from Portsmouth as it faces a bill of £27 million in 2026.
The ferry operator has announced a project to utilise its fleet more efficiently as it continues to feel the effects of a loan it took out to keep them going during the covid pandemic. This includes the sale of two ships and the end of a route between Portsmouth and Le Havre, however a new daily service to Cherbourg will be introduced from the city.
While Brittany Ferries has paid off half of its loan, the remaining debt combined with the rising ETS tax, the EU’s Emission Trading System , means that it faces a bill of £27 million this year. It has led the company to make “difficult decisions” to manage its future.
Having already invested in five new vessels over the past five years, which it describes as the cleanest and greenest fleet on the channel, it will now sell two ships.
The Poole to Cherbourg route served by 1992-built ship Barfleur will be closed from November 2026 and the ship sold. However, its place a daily service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg will operate instead.
The 2007 built Cotentin which runs Cherbourg to Rosslare will also be sold, while the route will continue to operate with other vessels.
Furthermore, it is looking to close the Portsmouth to Le Havre route from October 2026 due to what it describes as “unfair competition on the eastern channel” caused by subsidies to run the loss-making Dieppe-Newhaven route.
“Brittany Ferries has a track record in adapting its business to long- and short-term challenges,” said Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries. “We overcame Covid when borders were shut, we continue to wrestle with the consequences of Brexit and we are taking steps to make a holiday in France or Spain as reasonable as possible.
“But we have to be realistic. We need adapt and that means a plan to secure a future that will continue to bring opportunities for all those who live and work in the regions we serve. We have informed our ports and will work with everyone affected on this plan for the future.”
There will also be further changes to the services operating between Poole, Guernsey and Cherbourg with it being made more efficient from November 1.
It is now planned to operate as below:
- Brittany Ferries Islander: will serve a triangular route as follows: Portsmouth to Guernsey, Guernsey to Cherbourg, Cherbourg to Portsmouth
- Brittany Ferries Voyager (fast craft) will continue to serve Poole to Guernsey, but with the option to travel on to St Malo
- The opening of Guernsey to the freight hub of Cherbourg promises new trade partnerships and opportunities.