Brittany Ferries will close its Poole to Cherbourg route in November 2026 and sell the 1992-built Ro-Pax ferry Barfleur, replacing it with a daily Portsmouth to Cherbourg service.
The ferry firm also plans to sell the 2007-built Ro-Ro ship Cotentin while continuing the Cherbourg to Rosslare route with other vessels.
Additionally, the company expects to close the Portsmouth to Le Havre route in October 2026. On November 1, 2026, a revised schedule will see Islander deployed on a triangular route between Portsmouth, Guernsey, and Cherbourg, while the fast craft Voyager operates from Poole to Guernsey.
According to the company, these changes are being implemented to manage a rising tax burden, outstanding pandemic loans, and passenger cost-of-living concerns. It faces an estimated €27 million ($31 million) bill in 2026 under the European Union emission trading system, which comes before the UK introduces an equivalent scheme in British waters.
Although Brittany Ferries has repaid half of the government rescue loan allocated during the health crisis, the remaining half of this financial obligation is still outstanding.
It also cited "unfair competition" from subsidised services on the Dieppe to Newhaven route which prompted the scheduled closure of the Portsmouth to Le Havre link.
