The third of Brittany Ferries’ new E-Flexer ferries, SANTONA, was delivered on 22 December by China Merchants Jinling (Wehai). She started her delivery voyage at approx. 11:30 local time (03:30 UK time) on 28 December and is expected to arrive at Singapore on 2 January. As with previous E-Flexer deliveries, the delivery voyage will also take in the Suez Canal.
SANTONA is a repeat of direct sister-ship SALAMANCA, which has been in service since March. While SALAMANCA is currently on the Rosslare – Bilbao/Cherbourg service, the LNG-powered ship is expected to switch with GALICIA from Spring so that she is based at Portsmouth along with SANTONA.
Earlier in the month Brittany Ferries announced that passengers will again be carried on the Le Havre – Portsmouth and Le Havre – Rosslare routes from 1 March 2023. The routes will continue to be served by COTENTIN.
The next new ferry to be delivered to Brittany Ferries will be the LNG-battery-hybrid E-Flexer SAINT-MALO at the end of 2024. In the meantime, shipyard China Merchants Jinling (Weihai) will deliver FINNSIRIUS and FINNCANOPUS to Finnlines as well as some Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC’s).
