Some good news for Brittany Ferries’ Poole-Cherbourg ferry link was confirmed during June. For the first time in six years, the route will remain operational for freight and passenger traffic this coming winter period.
From 14 November through until 29 March 2026, Commodore Clipper (1999/14,000gt) will provide a daily service, after which regular vessel Barfleur (1992/20,133gt) will return to the route.
Formerly operated by Condor Ferries but surplus since the loss of the Jersey service to DFDS, Commodore Clipper has been deployed on various other cross-Channel routes this year, and is expected to be repainted into the colours of parent company Brittany Ferries at its next overhaul and renamed simply Clipper.
With the twice-weekly Poole-Bilbao ro-ro freight service, operated by the chartered MN Pelican (1999/12,076gt) since 2016, closing at the end of August following the opening of the Bayonne-Cherbourg intermodal rail freight link, it is anticipated that there will be a demand for a year-round service to Poole.
The last winter service between Poole and Cherbourg was operated in 2019 by the former Connemara (2007/26,500gt).
Photo = Commodore Clipper, seen at Poole, will reinstate a winter service to Cherbourg this year.
Report and photo by Kevin Mitchell
