New Brittany Ferries vessel undertakes harbour trials in Portsmouth

Portsmouth has welcomed Galicia, Brittany Ferries’ brand-new ship serving routes to Spain and France. She will undertake berthing trials in port before her entry into service for passengers in December 2020.

At 215m, Galicia is the longest ship ever to have graced the Brittany Ferries fleet, hosting 3km of “lane metres” for freight and passenger traffic. She is the first new ship to join the fleet since 2009 and is the first since the company announced a multi-million euro investment in fleet renewal back in 2017.

The investment was, of course, made several years ago. But the company says it hopes the new ship will reassure customers of Brittany Ferries’ commitment to a brighter future. Galicia will serve the Portsmouth to Santander route, with two weekly rotations. And one weekly there-and-back from Portsmouth to Cherbourg in Normandy.

When the current storms have passed, Brittany Ferries will have three new ships in its fleet. Two ships will have joined Galicia by 2023, called Salamanca and Santoña, both powered by cleaner liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The longest ship in the company’s fleet at 215m; initial sea trials have already taken place in Weihai, China.

“Fleet renewal is an integral part of our five-year recovery plan and Galicia’s arrival is the result of a commission made in happier times,” says Brittany Ferries CEO, Christophe Mathieu.

“That is why I am delighted to bring this good news story to our staff, freight drivers and passengers today. Our message is clear: we have invested in beautiful new ships.

“Given the right support to get through this terrible crisis, Brittany Ferries can have a bright future, as well as a proud past.”