Brittany Ferries to move Barfleur to Rosslare-Cherbourg route

Brittany Ferries will move the ro-pax vessel Barfleur to its Rosslare-Cherbourg service from 12 October 2026, prompting the earlier-than-planned closure of the direct Poole-Cherbourg route.

Barfleur, which has operated on Poole-Cherbourg since 1992, will be redeployed around three weeks earlier than initially scheduled as the ferry operator adjusts its fleet following a combination of vessel changes and technical issues.

Barfleur to replace Cotentin

The move is linked to Brittany Ferries’ previously announced intention to sell Cotentin, which currently serves the Rosslare-Cherbourg route.

To prepare for the sale, Cotentin must be withdrawn from service by mid-October. Brittany Ferries had considered using another vessel as back-up, but those plans were affected by a technical problem involving Commodore Clipper.

The vessel suffered a gearbox failure earlier in September and was subsequently withdrawn from service for repair work. The issue had already resulted in the early closure of Brittany Ferries’ Portsmouth-Le Havre service.

With Commodore Clipper unavailable, the company has decided to redeploy Barfleur to maintain its Rosslare-Cherbourg operations.

Rosslare-Cherbourg takes priority

Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu said the Rosslare-Cherbourg connection had become strategically important to the company following Brexit, particularly for freight traffic.

“The reality is that, post Brexit, Rosslare/Cherbourg has become a strategically significant route for Brittany Ferries, carrying nearly 25 percent of all freight traffic so we must prioritise,” said Mathieu.

He also acknowledged the disruption facing passengers who had planned to use the Poole-Cherbourg service during the second half of October.

“I know there will be disappointment with this operational change, and I apologise to all those travelling from Poole in the latter half of October,” he said.

Affected customers will be offered alternative travel on Brittany Ferries services from Portsmouth or the option of receiving a refund.

The company said bookings on Poole-Cherbourg had already weakened ahead of the route’s planned closure.

Brittany Ferries has operated the Poole-Cherbourg connection since 1986. While the direct service to Cherbourg is ending earlier than expected, the company will continue operating fast-craft services from Poole via Guernsey to France.

Barfleur’s first sailing from Rosslare to Cherbourg is scheduled for 12 October 2026.