Citizendia

Current Brittany Ferries logo
Current Brittany Ferries logo
Current Brittany Ferries routes
Current Brittany Ferries routes

Brittany Ferries is a French ferry company that runs ships between France, the UK, Ireland and Spain. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

Contents

History

1970s and 1980s

Brittany Ferries' MV Pont-Aven off the coast of Santander
Brittany Ferries' MV Pont-Aven off the coast of Santander

Following the provision of the deep-water port at Roscoff, the company was founded in January 1973 at the instigation of Alexis Gourvennec, when existing ferry companies showed reluctance in providing a service from Roscoff to Plymouth. The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain between Asturias (to the west and Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Alexis Gourvennec (January 11 1936 to February 19 2007 was a Breton pig farmer and economic leader who played a major role in the regeneration of Brittany after The company began sailings between Roscoff in Brittany and Plymouth in the South West of England using the freight ferry Kerisnel. Roscoff ( Breton: Rosko) is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France. Brittany (Breizh bʁejs Bretagne; Gallo: Bertaèyn) is a former independent Celtic kingdom and Duchy, now incorporated into Plymouth ( is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England about south west of London. The primary aim of the company at that time was to provide a service to Brittany's cauliflower and artichoke farmers giving them easier access to the British market. Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae. The Globe Artichoke ( Cynara cardunculus) Globe Artichokes are known to have been cultivated at Naples around the middle of the 9th century and The company expanded into the passenger market in summer 1973 when they chartered the passenger only ferry Poseidon from Stena Line for the season. Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators with Ferry services serving Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Great Britain Kerisnel was replaced in 1974 by Penn-Ar-Bed which also carried passengers and their vehicles. Such was the success of the Plymouth-Roscoff service a larger ship, the Cornouailles, was ordered and entered service in 1977. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays New routes were introduced throughout the 1970s, and the company continued to grow. The Saint-Malo, Santander and Cork routes were operated by the Armorique and Prince of Brittany. Saint-Malo ( Breton: Sant-Maloù; Gallo: Saent-Malô) is a walled port city in Brittany in northwestern The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain between Asturias (to the west and Cork (Corcaigh is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland 's third most populous city after Dublin and Belfast In the early 1980s a second ship was chartered for the Saint-Malo route. The 1980s was the decade spanning from January 1 1980 to December 31 1989. The Goelo was an attractive-looking vessel, but left the fleet in preparation for the new ship to be introduced in 1982. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The Quiberon replaced the Armorique on the Santander and Cork services, allowing her to operate alongside the Prince of Brittany on the Saint-Malo route. The M/V Quiberon was a Ferry operated by Brittany Ferries between 1982 and 2002 The Cornouailles maintained the original Roscoff route.

The Benodet operated Plymouth-Roscoff for just one year before being used as part of Brittany Ferries' new venture, Channel Island Ferries. British Channel Island Ferries ( BCIF) was a Ferry operator who ran services between the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands. The Tregastel replaced her and continued on the route until 1989. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) In 1985 Brittany Ferries further expanded by buying Truckline, which operated freight-only ships Coutances and Purbeck between Poole (UK) and Cherbourg (France). Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Regular routes Puerto la Cruz - Isla Margarita As the Coutances with Brittany Ferries and Truckline the ship sailed Poole ( is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset on the south coast of England

In 1986, Brittany Ferries introduced the Duc De Normandie, which operated a new route between the increasingly popular port of Portsmouth and Caen. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Caen (kɑ̃ is a commune in northwestern France. It is the Prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the The former Roscoff ship Cornouailles was transferred to the Truckline Ferries route from Poole to Cherbourg, introducing passenger services on this route. This service was also very successful and new ships were introduced over the next few years. Meanwhile, a second (chartered) ship, the Gotland was installed on the Caen service in 1988, as well as a new Truckline vessel, the Normandie Shipper in 1989. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar)

In 1989 the cruise ferry Bretagne was introduced on the Santander and Cork routes. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Regular Routes Plymouth - Santander 1989-1993 Winter 2006-2007 Winter 2007-2008 Plymouth - Roscoff She displaced the Quiberon, which transferred to the Roscoff route. The M/V Quiberon was a Ferry operated by Brittany Ferries between 1982 and 2002 Tregastel replaced Cornouailles on the Poole-Cherbourg Truckline Ferries passenger route along with Corbiere (formerly the Benodet who had been transferred to Channel Island Ferries). British Channel Island Ferries ( BCIF) was a Ferry operator who ran services between the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands. Cornouailles was sold to British Channel Island Ferries and was renamed Havelet. A second-hand purchase was introduced on the St Malo route, the Duchesse Anne. which was to run alongside the Armorique. This allowed the Prince of Brittany to be transferred to the Caen route under its new name the Reine Mathilde.

1990s

At the end of 1991, the Reine Mathilde left the fleet ready for the introduction of the new cruise ferry the Normandie on the Caen route. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. The Corbiere and Tregastel also stepped down in preparation for the new Truckline Ferries ship, the Barfleur. During 1992, the Truckline freight vessel, Purbeck, and the St Malo ship Armorique both stepped down. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar)

In 1993, the final new ship of the 1990s was introduced. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) The Val de Loire was purchased from TT-Line and partially rebuilt for service on the Santander and Cork routes. History MS Nils Holgersson 1987&ndash1993 The MS Nils Holgersson (fourth ship to bear the name in TT-Line's fleet was built as the younger TT-Line is a shipping company based in Lübeck, Germany, which has been providing a ferry service between Travemünde in Schleswig-Holstein and The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain between Asturias (to the west and The vessel replaced the Bretagne which transferred to the St Malo route, allowing the Duchesse Anne to operate new services between Poole, St Malo, Cork, Roscoff and Plymouth. Following further financial difficulties in the mid 1990s, these new routes were ended and the Duchesse Anne left the fleet. The Normandie Shipper was also sold, but the ex-Truckline vessel Purbeck was later chartered back by the company for use on various routes, primarily Portsmouth-Caen. In 1999, the Barfleur was repainted in Brittany Ferries colours, ending the Truckline Ferries tradition on the route. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar)

2000s

In 2001 a new fast ferry service operated between Poole and Cherbourg in partnership with Condor Ferries. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Condor Ferries is an operator of ferry services between mainland England and the Channel Islands, between England and France, and between France and the The Normandie Vitesse operated the service in just over two hours. In 2002, a new ship, the Mont St Michel, was due to enter service between Portsmouth and Caen. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Duc De Normandie was transferred to the Roscoff route in July, whilst the Quiberon was sent to Caen to cover until the new ship arrived. The M/V Quiberon was a Ferry operated by Brittany Ferries between 1982 and 2002 The Mont St Michel was delayed until December however. The Quiberon spent the remainder of the year on the busiest Brittany Ferries route. The M/V Quiberon was a Ferry operated by Brittany Ferries between 1982 and 2002 She had been with the company for almost 21 years when she was sold in 2003. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. In 2004, another new ship, the Pont-Aven, was introduced on the Santander & Cork routes. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " She could travel much faster than the rest of the fleet, cutting journey times by a quarter. This allowed the Val de Loire to join the Bretagne on the St Malo route. Both ships also provided a new mid-week link to Cherbourg from Portsmouth.

In late 2004, the Duc De Normandie was withdrawn from the fleet. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Bretagne was transferred to the Roscoff route, leaving the Val de Loire at St Malo. The Coutances was also earmarked for disposal, but then a change of heart saw her being refitted, losing her Truckline livery in favour of the new Brittany Ferries logo.

More changes occurred in 2005 with the withdrawal of P&O's French routes from Portsmouth. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The P&O Cruises brand is not owned by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company A new fast craft, the Normandie Express was chartered to operate between Portsmouth and Cherbourg and Caen. In addition, the Poole-Cherbourg ship Barfleur was redeployed to operate a triangular service between Portsmouth, Poole and Cherbourg. A new ship has been announced, in part a replacement for the Coutances. The ship will be named the Cotentin. Purbeck was to have returned from operating in New Zealand and cover the Portsmouth-Cherbourg link but this plan has been dropped. Barfleur returned to the Poole-Cherbourg link in November 2005. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The former flagship of the fleet (from 1993 until the arrival of the Mont St Michel) Val de Loire left the fleet in February 2006, having been sold to DFDS and renamed King of Scandinavia. DFDS A/S, an abbreviation of Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab (literally The United Steamship Company) is a Danish Shipping company. In the meantime, Brittany Ferries have taken a 2 year charter of the DFDS ship Duke of Scandinavia, which will be renamed Pont-L'Abbé and run on the Plymouth-Roscoff route. The Bretagne will return to the Portsmouth-St Malo route. Brittany Ferries have also announced a new build for the Plymouth-Roscoff route, to be launched early 2008. In February 2006 the Normandie Express was brought under the French flag, she was later purchased by the company in early 2007. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Brittany Ferries latest ship, the Cotentin, entered service on 26 November 2007 with the 23:45 Cherbourg-Poole service. It was announced on 19 December 2007 that the company had purchased the Pont-L'Abbé from DFDS [1]. On 1 May 2008 MV Coutances completed her last sailing for the comapny - having been with Truckline for 30 years and with Brittany Ferries since 1985.

Current fleet

The current fleet is as follows.

Passenger/freight ferries

Freight ferries

Fast craft

New Ships

Planned Ships

An article from the French newspaper 'Ouest France' revealed that Brittany Ferries have plans for a new ship for the Portsmouth-Caen route [2]. Aker Yards have declared an interest in building the ship for Brittany Ferries. Aker Yards ( is a Norway -based international Shipbuilding company with 18 Shipyards in Norway, Finland, Germany, The proposed ship would have capacity for 160 freight vehicles and is codenamed Mont St Michel 2.

Services

Regular services

Seasonal services

Brittany Ferries began operating on this route in 2004 using the Bretagne and Val de Loire in direct competition with the P&O Ferries service. Plymouth ( is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England about south west of London. Roscoff ( Breton: Rosko) is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France. Plymouth ( is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England about south west of London. The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain between Asturias (to the west and Poole ( is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset on the south coast of England Poole ( is a large coastal town and seaport in Dorset on the south coast of England History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which Saint-Malo ( Breton: Sant-Maloù; Gallo: Saent-Malô) is a walled port city in Brittany in northwestern History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which Ouistreham is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region of France. Caen (kɑ̃ is a commune in northwestern France. It is the Prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Roscoff ( Breton: Rosko) is a commune in the Finistère department in Bretagne in northwestern France. Cork (Corcaigh is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland 's third most populous city after Dublin and Belfast History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which Regular Routes Plymouth - Santander 1989-1993 Winter 2006-2007 Winter 2007-2008 Plymouth - Roscoff History MS Nils Holgersson 1987&ndash1993 The MS Nils Holgersson (fourth ship to bear the name in TT-Line's fleet was built as the younger P&O Ferries (formerly P&O European Ferries) is a constituent company of DP World (which took over its parent company the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Following P&O's withdrawal from the route Brittany Ferries introduced the Normandie Express to operate during the summer season with a conventional service for the rest of the year. The route became a seasonal service after the end of the 2006 summer season with the service recommencing on 23 March 2007 and closing again on 29 October 2007. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A limited conventional service for freight was provided by the Coutances to reposition the ship from Portsmouth to Poole once a week between the end of November 2007 and 1 May 2008. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Regular passenger services resumed on 13 March 2008 and run until 26 October 2008.

On some previous occasions services have run between Plymouth and St Malo/Cherbourg.

Onboard facilities

Brittany Ferries' vessels have a variety of onboard facilities. These include shops, self-service and A la Carte restaurants, bars and cafes. All vessels have a bureau de change on board. A bureau de change is an organisation or facility which allows customers to exchange one Currency for another Most vessels have a cinema and gambling/gaming machines. Cinemaaustraliajpg|thumb|A movie theater in Australia ]]A movie theater, movie theatre, picture theatre or cinema is a venue In the past, the on-board shops often included a photography shop with film developing and printing facilities; however, the increase in popularity of digital photography has led to these shops being removed. Photography (fә'tɒgrәfi or fә'tɑːgrәfi (from Greek φωτο and γραφία is the process and Art of recording pictures by means of capturing Digital photography is a form of Photography that utilizes Digital technology to make Digital images of subjects

The fast craft have more limited facilities, such as a smaller shop and a bar/cafe.

External links

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