Brittany Ferries has announced that its 08:00 departure from Portsmouth to Caen on 31 July 2026, the hybrid ro-pax ‘Guillaume de Normandie’ became the first cross-Channel ferry to leave the UK powered by electricity fed from the quayside.
The engine- and emissions-free departure followed two hours connected to Portsmouth International Port’s new shore power system. This is Brittany Ferries’ busiest route, and is considered a significant event in the company’s, and Portsmouth International Port’s, shared journey towards decarbonisation.
One of Brittany Ferries’ two new LNG-electric hybrids, Guillaume de Normandie arrived into Portsmouth from France at 06:00. It plugged-in straight away, recharging its onboard batteries before switching to electric power for manoeuvre out of Portsmouth Harbour and onto Normandy.
Portsmouth’s shore power has been in testing for the past two months, and is now fully operational, meaning Guillaume de Normandie and sister ship Saint-Malo – which serves the St Malo route – can recharge their batteries every time they are alongside. There are no air quality or climate change issues when plugged-in. Neither is there any noise. It also means the ships can manoeuvre in and out of Portsmouth Harbour completely emissions-free, switching to hybrid LNG-electric running only once clear of the port entrance.
Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries, said: “This is a huge milestone for our business, and one that we’ve reached thanks to a team effort by all partners involved. It means we can now realise the full potential of the greenest vessels in our fleet. We’re better neighbours to Portsmouth, and we’re leading the sector on sustainability. But this doesn’t come without a cost. We’re urging the new government to consider tax breaks to offset the additional expense of plugging in while alongside. Without that support, the lead taken by Portsmouth International Port and Brittany Ferries is unlikely to be followed by others in the drive to net zero.”
The cost of plugging-in is still a challenge for Brittany Ferries, the port and the wider shipping sector. It costs more than running engines while alongside due to high electricity costs and connection charges. However, Brittany Ferries thanks Portsmouth International Port for helping to reach a deal covering the next 12 months, offsetting some of that additional cost burden.
Image: LNG-electric hybrid ship ‘Guillaume de Normandie’ plugs-in at Portsmouth International Port (credit: Brittany Ferries)
