New Brittany Ferries ship will be the firm's largest - linking Portsmouth with Santander in Spain

Brittany Ferries’ new Spanish ship Galicia will arrive in December and bookings are being taken to travel in 2021.

The ship, which is the firm's first ship to present a Spanish theme for travellers, will sail two round trips a week connecting Portsmouth and Santander.

Galicia will be one of the largest ships to serve the company, weighing in at 40,000 gross tonnes, and measuring 215m long.

The ship is nearing completion at the CMJL shipyard in Weihai, China. Sea trials have taken place, and she will shortly embark on the 10,000-mile voyage to Europe.

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On arrival Galicia will undergo training for its 85 crew members and dry-docking for finishing touches, before welcoming first passengers on board in mid-December.

Christophe Mathieu, Brittany Ferries CEO, said the new ship was a statement of intent for a successful future, despite Covid woes.

He said: ‘Fleet renewal is an integral part of our five-year recovery plan and Galicia’s arrival is the result of a commission made in happier times.

‘That is why I am delighted to bring this good news story to our staff, freight drivers and passengers today.

‘Our message is clear: we have invested in beautiful new ships. Given the right support to get through this terrible crisis Brittany Ferries can have a bright future, as well as a proud past.’

Galicia will operate two return trips a week between Portsmouth and Santander, departing Portsmouth on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Santander on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The crossing time is between 28 and 33 hours.

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In addition, the 343-cabin ship will offer one weekly round trip between Portsmouth and Cherbourg, with overnight sailings departing Portsmouth on Sundays and Cherbourg on Mondays.

Brittany Ferries’ Pont-Aven and Cap Finistère will also continue to sail between the UK and Spain, with up to seven weekly return sailings in total between the two countries.

Mr Mathieu added: ‘We started running ferry services from the UK to Spain in 1978, and – in a normal season – they are among our most popular crossings, with around 350,000 passengers per year. Customers know that Spain without the plane means freedom to explore, taking everything you need in your own car, motorhome or bike, and it starts with a fantastic voyage by sea.

‘Galicia is the first in an entirely new class of ship for Brittany Ferries, with two sister ships, Salamanca and Santoña coming in 2022 and 2023.

‘We can’t wait to welcome the first customers on board.’

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