By Our Correspondent
Brittany Ferries has announced that its upcoming ferry will be named ‘Guillaume de Normandie’, according to FleetMon.

It stated: “The latest ferry will deliver its services in May 2025, operating the route between Portsmouth and Caen. The new vessel will replace the older NORMANDIE ferry that has been in service since 1992.

“The name “Guillaume de Normandie” translates to “William the Conqueror” in English. He was the first king of England to be crowned at Westminster Abbey. Brittany Ferries’ CEO, Christophe Mathieu, explained that the name pays homage to the past and highlights the enduring partnership between Brittany Ferries, the region of Normandy, and the British people. King Charles III, who was recently crowned at Westminster Abbey, is the 40th king to be crowned there.

“The new ferry will be a hybrid, powered by LNG, battery power, or both in hybrid mode. Its two engines will have a combined power of 13,740 kW. The ship can accommodate 1,310 passengers and will have 220 cabins, including 21 pet-friendly cabins. It will also feature restaurants, bars, two boutiques, two children’s play areas, and a VIP lounge.

“The vessel will switch to LNG and electric power or fully electric power when approaching ports or quays, resulting in fuel savings of up to 9%. Additionally, the ship will be plug-in ready, emitting zero emissions when shore power is available. When its batteries are charged by shore power, the vessel will have a further reduction in emissions of 15%. Using LNG as fuel inherently reduces CO2 emissions by 20-25%.

“Brittany Ferries has emphasized that the ship’s environmental friendliness will increase in the future as shore power becomes more accessible and e-fuels, such as biomethane, become more widely available in the industry.”