In a challenging market environment and facing the increasing burden of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) carbon tax, Brittany Ferries announced a substantial cost-cutting plan on 29 June.
The company is calling for the reinstatement of payroll tax reimbursements, which were eliminated in 2024, in order to protect French jobs.
The operator said it faces an ETS bill of around EUR 27 million in 2026, with no allowance made for its recent fleet investment.
The company added that the figure applies before the UK introduces an equivalent scheme for ships in British waters. Brittany Ferries also stated it has repaid half of the loan provided to support the company during the pandemic, with the remainder still outstanding.
The company will sell two vessels as part of the changes. The Poole-Cherbourg route served by the 1992-built Barfleur will close from November 2026, and the ship will be sold; a daily Portsmouth-Cherbourg service will operate in its place.
The 2007-built Cotentin, which runs Cherbourg-Rosslare, will also be sold, while that route will continue to be operated by other vessels.
The Portsmouth-Le Havre route will be closed from October 2026, citing subsidised competition on the Dieppe-Newhaven route. The company said it has operated the route while legal challenges remain under consideration in Brussels.
From 1 November 2026, ships serving Guernsey, Poole and Cherbourg will move to a revised schedule.
Islander will operate a triangular Portsmouth-Guernsey-Cherbourg-Portsmouth rotation, while the fast ferry Voyager will continue serving Poole-Guernsey, with the option to continue to St Malo.
The operator said the new Guernsey-Cherbourg connection opens access to the Cherbourg freight hub.
Photo by Kieran Lewis
