Brittany Ferries will discontinue its direct Poole-Cherbourg service three weeks earlier than planned. Ro-pax vessel Barfleur, which has served the route since 1992, is to be moved to cover Rosslare/Cherbourg sailings from 12 October.

The operational change is needed for two reasons. The company has already announced its intention to sell Cotentin which currently serves Rosslare-Cherbourg. To prepare, her withdrawal from service must come by mid-October at the latest.

Secondly a potential back-up vessel has been hit by a significant technical problem. Brittany Ferries’ Commodore Clipper suffered a gearbox failure earlier this month, necessitating its withdrawal from the fleet pending remedial work.

Clipper’s gearbox problem forced the early closure of the Portsmouth-Le Havre route. But it has now forced the company to shift Barfleur and end Poole-Cherbourg sailings a little earlier than planned, as it cannot take up the slack.

Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries said:

“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.

“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. We shall of course refund tickets or provide alternative travel on routes out of Portsmouth.

“It has been a privilege to serve the Poole-Cherbourg route since 1986. But we should be clear that we will still sail to Guernsey and onto France in our fast craft from Poole, even if we must say an early adieu to a much-loved vessel and direct services from Poole to Cherbourg.”

Bookings on Poole/Cherbourg have already weakened ahead of route closure, but the company stresses that it is sorry for the inconvenience this will cause those who have tickets to travel. Travel from Portsmouth will be offered to all affected customers. They may also choose a refund.

The first sailing from Rosslare to Cherbourg, to be served by Barfleur, will take place on 12 October 2026.