Brittany Ferries is to introduce a new passenger and freight ferry on its Rosslare–Cherbourg service from March 2027, replacing the freight-focused Norbay currently operating on temporary charter.
The RoPax ferry Vizzavona will be renamed Wexford and will operate three weekly return crossings between Rosslare Europort and Cherbourg, as well as one Portsmouth–Cherbourg rotation.
The French-flagged vessel will be crewed by French seafarers, with tickets for its 2027 sailings due to go on sale by the end of October.
Passenger Capacity Boost for Rosslare
The introduction of Wexford will significantly increase passenger accommodation on the route compared with Norbay, whose limited cabin capacity has restricted its suitability for holiday traffic.
Wexford has 146 cabins and capacity for around 130 cars. It also offers 2,500 lane metres for freight, maintaining substantial capacity for trade between Ireland and mainland Europe.
Brittany Ferries says the vessel will help meet demand for holiday traffic between Ireland and Normandy while strengthening freight links.
The company said Wexford completes its network of long-haul services to and from Ireland, alongside direct connections with northern Spain, Brittany and Normandy.
Five-Ship Fleet Serving Ireland
Five Brittany Ferries vessels — Salamanca, Wexford, Clipper, Armorique and Pont-Aven — are scheduled to serve Ireland.
The network will offer up to seven weekly return sailings between Rosslare and Cherbourg, two weekly return sailings between Rosslare and Bilbao and two weekly return sailings between Cork and Roscoff.
Brittany Ferries chief executive Christophe Mathieu described the charter as a positive development for the company's Irish and French markets.
“The charter of our new ship Wexford is a positive step for the company and for the regions we serve in France and Ireland,” Mathieu said.
“We know there is a strong market for holiday traffic and this ship will better meet the demands of travellers on both sides of the Irish Sea.”
French Flag Commitment
The company said the new charter also fulfils a commitment made when Norbay was introduced temporarily a year ago.
At the time, Brittany Ferries said the freight vessel would be replaced as soon as a suitable RoPax ship became available and that its replacement would operate under the French flag.
“We have also shown our commitment to those who crew our ships, and we never forget that it is they who define our success and help shape our future,” Mathieu said.
Brittany Ferries currently operates routes linking Ireland with France and Spain from Rosslare and Cork.
