Plasma blade cuts steel, as construction of Brittany Ferries first hybrid ship begins

Brittany Ferries today (Monday 5 september) celebrates the next step in its fleet renewal programme. The first section of steel has been cut for the construction of Saint-Malo, the innovative LNG-hybrid vessel that will link Portsmouth with the port of St Malo.

Saint-Malo will work like a hybrid car when she joins the fleet in 2025. She will run on LNG (liquefied natural gas), on electric power or on a combination of the two. The benefits include significantly lower emissions, less noise and a smoother ride for passengers.

She will also be shore-side power ready. That means Saint-Malo will automatically become cleaner when investment in infrastructure in ports like Portsmouth allows her to be plugged-in when alongside.

Saint-Malo will the third of four LNG-powered ferries to join the Brittany Ferries fleet and will replace much-loved grande dame Bretagne. Salamanca began operations from Portsmouth in March this year and Santoña will arrive in the port for her first sailing next spring.

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