United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Brittany Ferries shows Brexit confidence by investing in new ferry
Brittany Ferries says it is showing its confidence in the cross channel market, despite Brexit, by investing around £175 million in a new ferry.
A year since Britain voted to leave the EU, the ferry operator has confirmed details of a new LNG cruise ferry, named Honfleur, after the seaside town in Normandy.
It will operate on the company’s busiest route from Portsmouth to Caen, with a planned arrival in spring 2019.
"Honfleur is proof to our confidence that, despite Brexit, people will still want to visit France, and that demand for travel between the UK and France will remain strong, particularly from those looking to cross the Channel in comfort and style," said commercial director Mike Bevens.
"She will reaffirm our position as a class-leading operator thanks to LNG propulsion and an interior that has been carefully considered to meet the needs of everyone. It’s a huge step forward for us, a clear statement of our intent for the future and a reassuring signal for our customers, 8 in 10 of whom are British."
He said Honfleur would be the most environmentally-friendly vessel operating on the English Channel, emittin less carbon dioxide than diesel following combustion and burning with no smoke.
Free Wi-Fi will come as standard in all cabins and public spaces, and a digital information lounge will serve as a focal point.
There will be two cinemas, children’s play areas, quiet lounges, panoramic views, reading areas, an – la carte restaurant, and a self-service facility, caf-© and bar serving light snacks.
When Honfleur enters the fleet, Brittany Ferries’ cruise-ferry Normandie will switch to the Portsmouth-Le Havre route.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations