Brittany Ferries has announced the closure of its Poole to Cherbourg route, which has operated for 40 years since 1986, effective November 1, 2026. The Portsmouth to Le Havre route will also close from October 1, 2026. The company blames the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, ongoing effects of Brexit, and unfair competition from subsidised routes.
Route Closures and Ship Sales
The Poole to Cherbourg service, operated by the 1992 ferry Barfleur, will be discontinued. Passengers will need to travel to Portsmouth for a daily service to Cherbourg instead. The Portsmouth to Le Havre route, run since 2014 with daytime sailings to Le Havre and overnight returns, will close. Brittany Ferries plans to sell two ships, including the Barfleur.
Reasons for the Changes
Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, stated: “Brittany Ferries has a track record in adapting its business to long- and short-term challenges. We overcame Covid when borders were shut, we continue to wrestle with the consequences of Brexit and we are taking steps to make a holiday in France or Spain as reasonable as possible. But we have to be realistic.”
The company cited “unfair competition on the Eastern Channel, caused by subsidies to run the loss-making Dieppe-Newhaven route.” It also noted the rising tax burden of the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS), facing a €27 million bill in 2026 despite investing in five new vessels in five years.
New Schedules and Job Impact
From November 1, Brittany Ferries will implement a “more efficient schedule.” The Brittany Ferries Island will serve a triangular route: Portsmouth to Guernsey, Guernsey to Cherbourg, and Cherbourg to Portsmouth. The fast craft Brittany Ferries Voyager will continue Poole to Guernsey, with an option to travel on to St Malo.
The company confirmed no job losses in the UK, but potentially a small number in Le Havre, subject to consultation. It also stated it has repaid half of its Covid loan, but “the long tail of the crisis continues.”
