Understand
Poole-Cherbourg ferry Barfleur set for final crossing after more than 30 years of service
Overview
The Brittany Ferries vessel Barfleur is scheduled to make its final crossing on the Poole to Cherbourg route after operating for over 30 years. The route closure, alongside the early termination of the Portsmouth to Le Havre service, was brought forward due to the Barfleur being reassigned to cover the Cherbourg-Rosslare route following technical issues with another vessel. Brittany Ferries attributed the service changes and financial challenges to rising taxes, Covid loan repayments, post-Brexit shifts, and falling passenger numbers.
Key points
- The Barfleur ferry has sailed between Poole and Cherbourg since April 1992.
- Brittany Ferries is ending the Poole-Cherbourg route due to financial challenges, rising taxes, post-Brexit factors, and falling passenger numbers.
- The final departure from Poole was brought forward after the Barfleur was needed to cover the Cherbourg-Rosslare route following a gearbox failure on the Commodore Clipper.
- Poole Harbour Commissioners established a moving exclusion zone around the vessel for its final departure, urging small vessels to exercise extreme caution.
- Brittany Ferries will continue to operate fast craft services from Poole to Guernsey and France, despite the end of the direct Poole-Cherbourg route.