A HUGE Brittany Ferries passenger ship – larger than any vessel in Condor’s fleet – has undertaken a berthing trial in St Helier Harbour.
Just weeks after it was announced that Condor’s chief executive, John Napton, was being replaced on an interim basis by Brittany Ferries chief executive Christophe Mathieu, the 157-metre long Barfleur this morning pulled alongside at the west berth by the Elizabeth Terminal.
Plumes of smoke filled the air above the Harbour as two tugs – Mercia and Handfast – helped guide the ship in across calm waters.
Some Islanders watched from their cars in the Elizabeth Terminal car park, while others gathered along the Albert Pier.
Ports of Jersey employees could be seen gathering at the west berth to greet Barfluer, as Mercia pulled away from the stern to join Handfast alongside the vessel – slowly nudging it into position.
The ship currently operates up to two crossings daily between Poole and Cherbourg, carrying up to 900 passengers and 590 cars.
The vessel dwarfs the 102-metre Condor Liberation, which has capacity for 880 passengers and 245 cars, while Condor Voyager is 97 metres long and has space for 850 passengers and 235 cars.
Barfleur is also larger than the 129-metre Commodore Clipper, which has space for 300 passengers and 100 cars.
The Brittany Ferries ship was built at the Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland and entered service in April 1992.
While it is shorter than the 162-metre cargo ship Finlandia Seaways – which last year became the largest vessel ever to berth in Jersey – Barfleur’s arrival was supported by two tugs to ensure its safe entry into the Harbour.
In a statement, Ports of Jersey said that Brittany Ferries, which is a shareholder of Condor Ferries, was undertaking the trial “as part of its own business continuity plans”.
Condor’s current operating agreement with Jersey expires next year, with Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel recently confirming the government was still “working towards agreement with a ferry operator beyond 2025”.
The JEP was unable to contact Brittany Ferries, and Condor declined to comment.
