Condor is planning to utilise a Brittany Ferries’ high speed vessel this summer in order to provide support for its Channel Islands, UK and French fleet operations.
The vessel, a 98m long high speed catamaran, is wholly owned by Brittany Ferries, a minority shareholder in Condor and the ship is currently undergoing engineering checks followed by sea trials.
Once the evaluation has been completed and final approval granted, the ferry, which is being renamed Condor Voyager (see below), will visit Jersey and Guernsey next month to conduct mooring trials and familiarisation training for Condor’s crews and port staff prior to entry in service.
Elwyn Dop, Condor’s Operations Director, said the initiative is a great example of how the two companies are cooperating and looked forward to seeing the vessel in local waters. “The ship is proven cross Channel and is a larger version of Condor Rapide, so we feel she is suited to providing services to the Islands and will offer a greater car and passenger capacity.
“These sea and berthing trials are also important for Brittany Ferries’ and our own teams working together.”
The vessel, currently called the Normandie Express, was built by Incat in Australia, carries up to 850 passengers and 235 cars and has been part of Brittany Ferries’ fleet since 2005. She is normally berthed in Le Havre and deployed to operate summer sailings from Portsmouth to France. The catamaran can travel at 42 knots and is 10m longer than Rapide.
Mr Dop added: ‘Part of the agreement is for Condor to provide a number of peak summer services for Brittany Ferries between the UK and France. ‘We are excited that our new owners share the same vision for developing ferry services and taking on this ship is one example of how our partnership and sharing of expertise can benefit the Islands.
