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Condor is planning to use one of Brittany Ferries’ high speed vessels this summer.
The vessel, a 98m-long high speed catamaran, is wholly owned by Brittany Ferries, a minority shareholder in Condor.
Part of the agreement is that Condor will provide a number of peak summer services for Brittany Ferries between the UK and France.
The ship is currently undergoing engineering checks, which will be followed by sea trials. Once the evaluation has been completed and final approval granted, the ferry will be renamed Condor Voyager and will visit the Channel Islands next month to conduct mooring trials and familiarisation training for Condor’s crews and port staff.
"The ship is proven cross-Channel and a larger version of Condor Rapide," said Operations Director Elwyn Dop.
"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: "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."
Pictured top: Normandie Express, Brittany Ferries’ high speed catamaran, which is to be utilised by Condor this summer to support its Channel Islands’ high speed ferry operations.
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