Understand
Three decades of Poole-Cherbourg Barfleur ferry come to an end
Overview
The cross-Channel ferry Barfleur is ending more than 30 years of sailings between Poole and Cherbourg. Brittany Ferries announced the closure of the route and the sale of the vessel due to financial challenges, ongoing pandemic repercussions, and new EU costs. The final departure from Poole marks the end of an iconic service that began operating in April 1992.
Key points
- The Barfleur ferry is concluding more than 30 years of service between Poole Harbour and Normandy.
- Brittany Ferries decided to scrap the route and sell the vessel to cope with financial challenges and rising costs.
- The vessel entered service in April 1992 and initially sailed under the Truckline Ferries brand before becoming a passenger service in 1999.
- The final departure was brought forward after the ferry was reassigned to the Cherbourg-Rosslare route following a gearbox failure on the Commodore Clipper.
- Despite losing direct services from Poole to Cherbourg, Brittany Ferries will continue operating fast craft services from Poole to France and Guernsey.