Brittany Ferries charters the ferry “Vizzavona”, which will be renamed “Wexford”, to replace the veteran “Norbay”

Brittany Ferries announces the chartering of the ferry “Vizzavona” (IMO 9138006) to replace the ferry “Norbay”, which is nearing the end of its charter with the French company. It will be renamed “Wexford” and assigned to the Cherbourg-Rosslare route, with three weekly rotations starting in March 2027.

The aforementioned vessel, which is currently in service with Corsica Linea, will maintain a French flag and employ French crew members. In a statement, Brittany Ferries boasts that “it is the largest employer of French sailors. Its commitment to the French flag remains a fundamental pillar of its business. Therefore, the company takes pride in having once again fulfilled its promise regarding the vessels operating between Ireland and France.”

A year ago, the company’s management announced that the vessel “Norbay” would be replaced as soon as possible by a suitable ro-pax vessel operating under the French flag. Now the news arrives with the signing of the charter contract for the aforementioned vessel, which has a capacity for 500 passengers and 2,400 linear meters of rolling cargo.

The service to Ireland will be served by the vessels “Salamanca”, “Clipper”, “Armorique”, “Pont-Aven”, and “Wexford”, which will make up to seven round trips weekly between Rosslare and Cherbourg, two weekly trips between Rosslare and Bilbao, and two weekly trips between Cork and Roscoff.

Formerly “Euroferry Corfu”, previously “Finneagle”, built at the Puerto Real shipyard, launched as “Stena Seapacer 2” and in service since October 1999, it belongs to a series of four units, although they are not identical, among which is the vessel “Ciudad de Sóller”, from Trasmed.

Photo: Gyssels Gilber (VesselFinder)