MV Guillaume de Normandie
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Guillaume de Normandie |
| Namesake | William the Conqueror |
| Owner | Stena RoRo |
| Operator | Brittany Ferries |
| Port of registry | Morlaix,  France |
| Route | Portsmouth⇄Caen |
| Ordered | 26 February 2021 |
| Builder | China Merchants Jinling Shipyard |
| Laid down | 28 September 2023 |
| Launched | 12 April 2024 |
| Christened | 28 March 2025 |
| Acquired | 23 December 2024 |
| Maiden voyage | 18 April 2025 |
| Identification | IMO 9946324 |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | E-Flexer-class ferry |
| Type | Ro-Pax Ferry |
| Tonnage | 38,500 GT |
| Length | 194.7 metres (639 ft) |
| Beam | 27.8 metres (91 ft) |
| Draught | 6.5 metres (21 ft) |
| Depth | 9.65 metres (31.7 ft) |
| Decks | 10 |
| Installed power | 2 x Wärtsilä W12V46DF dual fuel engines 27480 kW/HP |
| Speed | 23 knots |
| Capacity | 1310 Passengers, 460 Cars / 120 Freight Trailers |
MV Guillaume de Normandie is a roll-on/roll-off ferry owned by Stena RoRo and operated by Brittany Ferries. She serves on a route between Portsmouth and Caen (Ouistreham). She was built at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Weihai.
The ferry is named after William the Conqueror (Guillaume de Normandie in French), the Duke of Normandy who famously conquered England in 1066 and became its king.
History
[edit]The MV Guillaume de Normandie was built at the China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (formerly AVIC) in Weihai and is the final ship in the E-Flexer-class ferry series to be delivered to Brittany Ferries. Construction began with the cutting of the first piece of steel on February 6, 2024, followed by the keel laying on October 7, 2024.[1]
The Guillaume de Normandie made its first passenger crossing for Brittany Ferries on April 18, 2025, directly replacing the MV Normandie in the fleet, which had operated between Portsmouth and Caen since 1992. A number of decorations from the Normandie were transferred across to the new ship, and her restaurant still bears the name "Riva Bella".
Design
[edit]Unlike its near-sister ship Saint-Malo, Guillaume de Normandie does not have an extra passenger deck, instead opting for an additional garage deck, providing more capacity for freight vehicles. This design choice reflects its primary function of connecting Portsmouth and Caen, a route heavily frequented by both tourists and freight transport. The interior design of the vessel reflects the Normandy region, featuring bright colors inspired by its landscapes and architectural elements that mirror the local style.[2]
As a hybrid LNG ship, the MV Guillaume de Normandie is designed to operate with reduced environmental impact compared to traditional vessels. The ship utilizes dual-fuel engines, specifically 2 x Wärtsilä W12V46DF engines with a combined power of 27,480 kW/HP, allowing it to run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine diesel oil (MDO). This flexible fuel capability contributes to lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency.
Further reading
[edit]MV Guillaume de Normandie is named after the son of Normandy (better known as William the Conqueror[3]) and the cultural links to the area don't stop there, Its interiors are inspired by the region of Normandy with bright colours to represent the landscape and the interior design mirroring the architectural style of the region.[3] Its design differs slightly from its near sister ship, Saint-Malo, with it lacking the extra passenger deck in favour of an extra garage deck capable of holding freight.[4] It, along with it’s near sister, Saint-Malo, are both the two largest Hybrid ferries operating in europe as of present.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "MV Guillaume De Normandie – Past and Present". Dover Ferry Photos. 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
- ^ "Raise a glass to Guillaume de Normandie, the name for Brittany Ferries' next hybrid ship (… and the first king to be crowned at Westminster Abbey) – Brittany Ferries". Retrieved 2025-01-11.
- ^ a b "Brittany Ferries". Brittany Ferries UK. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
- ^ "Brittany Ferries". Archived from the original on 2023-12-16.
- ^ sandra (2022-06-23). "Brittany Ferries' Saint-Malo will be the largest hybrid-vessel". Ferry Shipping News. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
