News

Brittany Ferries names second of three new ships

The second of a series of three new ships for Brittany Ferries has been named Salamanca.

The ferry will join sister-ship Galicia when it enters service in spring 2022 with Santona following in 2023.

Salamanca will carry 1,015 passengers, with more than 2.7km of lane-space to handle passenger and freight vehicles.

Both Salamanca and Santona will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas, cutting carbon dioxide output by around a quarter, serving long-distance routes between the UK with Spain.

The investment in new ferries, being built in China, was made well before the pandemic began.

But a trio of cleaner, more efficient vessels will “help secure the company’s future” ensuring the continuity of passenger and freight services.

Brittany Ferries president Jean-Marc Roué said: “In spite of Brexit and Covid which have cost our company several hundred million euros already, I am resolved to remain on our path towards eco-responsibility and energy transition.

“It is a formal commitment I’ve made – we will continue, despite these crises, to reduce our carbon footprint, to keep on improving our fleet and to contribute to the development of the regions we serve.

“Salamanca is a good illustration of this. By renewing our fleet today, we are ensuring a return to growth tomorrow and Brittany Ferries and our partners remain confident in the future.”

Chief executive Christophe Mathieu added: “Passengers expect more comfortable, cleaner, greener vessels and society rightly demands sustainability as standard.

“Shipping companies that fail to improve are therefore destined to fail.

“It’s why these ‘E-Flexer’ ships are so important as we look to emerge from the current crisis.

“Galicia, Salamanca and Santona, are clear evidence that we are determined to sail towards a sustainable and a successful future.”

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.