The acquisition by Brittany Ferries of the two E-Flexer hybrid vessels, Saint-Malo and English Channel fleetmate Guillaume de Normandie, has been confirmed by the French company.
The purchase of the fourth and fifth E-Flexer class within the fleet follows a long-term partnership with Stena RoRo and the support of local regional authorities of Brittany and Normandy, the Caisse des Dépôts, and the Crédit Agricole Group.
As Shippax reports, the investment reflects Brittany Ferries’ strategy of sustainable fleet renewal, with five E-Flexers in service replacing tonnage dating as far back as 1989 and stronger industrial control. Over the past five years, nearly half of the fleet (12 conventional and one fast craft) has been renewed or modernised, significantly reducing emissions.
The two E-Flexers, Saint-Malo introduced in 2024 (replacing the one-time Cork-Roscoff flagship Bretagne) and Guillaume de Normandie, last year, were acquired through Somabret and Somanor, subsidiaries co-owned with Breton and Normandy local authorities. The relationship highlights the long-standing partnership between the ferry firm and to the regions it serves.
Financing was arranged with the support of a trio of French banks: Caisse des Dépôts / Banque des Territoires and Crédit Agricole.
The acquisition forms part of a broader transformation of the Brittany Ferries Group, including the integration of five new vessels between 2020 and 2025, the expansion of services such as the Guernsey route.
In addition, the launch last year of a new intermodal freight rail link connecting Cherbourg with Mouguerre (Pyrénées Atlantiques) linking Spain with Ireland and the UK, as Afloat highlighted yesterday.
