Brittany Ferries set to sail green with new hybrid ships
Real-time energy boost cuts emissions
Brittany Ferries is gearing up to slash greenhouse gases by up to 15% thanks to cutting-edge hybrid technology from Wärtsilä. The new fleet combines advanced engine and battery systems that optimise energy use in real time, promising much greater efficiency than traditional diesel engines.
Three hybrids to replace ageing giants
StenaRoRo is building three hybrid vessels using Wärtsilä tech. Brittany Ferries has snapped up two, including the freshly named Saint-Malo for the St Malo to portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth route, set to launch in 2024. A third, still unnamed hybrid, will soon service the hugely popular Caen-Portsmouth run. They’ll replace the veteran Bretagne and Normandie ferries, marking a new era for the company’s fleet.
Ports and passengers to reap rewards
“Brittany Ferries is proud to be leading the way in sustainable shipping, collaborating with our partners to bring cleaner vessels to the regions where we operate,” said Christophe Mathieu, CEO. “These hybrids are just the start. Ports like St Malo in France and Portsmouth in the UK will benefit as they upgrade to shore-side plug-in facilities, charging vessels with clean shore power while docked.”
Future-proofing with tech & green fuels
Per Westling, MD of StenaRoRo, said the hybrid ships are designed for the future: “Hybridisation lets us adapt to emerging green tech such as fuel cells, bigger batteries, and solar or wind-powered propulsion.” Wärtsilä will supply key components including gearboxes, propellers, engines, and batteries.
Håkan Agnevall, Wärtsilä’s CEO, added, “The huge battery capacity means full power operation and emissions-free manoeuvring in tricky weather or tight ports. With shore power charging when berthed, these ships set a new standard for clean shipping.”
