Update 26.10.20: Earlier today, Fosen Yard confirmed that they have been contracted to complete FSG 774 (formerly known as HONFLEUR) for Siem Group. No further details have been given.
The cancelled Brittany Ferries ferry HONFLEUR left her builders yard Flensburger Schiffbau-Gessellshaft for Norway this morning with her name hastily painted over.
The partially completed ship is being towed by the tugs SVITZER THOR and CARLO MARTELLO to Trondheim. The departure means that there are now no ships at FSG, which also has an empty order book.
Speculation that the ship could be completed by Fosen Yard appears to be backed up by one of the tugs reporting a destination of “Fosen” on AIS.
Fosen is well experienced in completing ships started elsewhere having ordered a number of hulls, including ferries, from other shipyards for completion at their own yard over the years.
HONFLEUR, also known by her yard number FSG 774, was said to be up to a year from completion when Brittany Ferries terminated its contract with FSG.
The ship, which should have been in service with the company last summer, was to be fuelled by LNG.
While major machinery such as the engines and electrical drive system is in place, much of the outfitting is understood to still need completed.
The ship was purchased earlier this year by Siem, who as the former owner of FSG had bankrolled her construction in the absence of state loan guarantees.
It is Siem’s intention to complete the ship for sale or charter to a ferry operator, though it is unclear what changes may be made to her configuration.
Brittany Ferries is understood to have ruled out acquiring HONFLEUR / FSG774 in the future.
This suggests that she may be completed to a more versatile specification than originally envisioned. Unlike with W.B YEATS, the passenger modules for FSG 774 were not delivered from Poland fitted out.
Some limited work has already taken place on the passenger spaces, however, but these are understood to be far from completion.
The Breton-based company recently took delivery of GALICIA from Stena RoRo and have a further two near-sisters on order.