Brittany Ferries’ 20,133gt/1992 built Barfleur is to receive a £10 million exhaust scrubber system fitted between 16th March and 29th April 2015. The ship’s absence at Poole will in part be covered by the Normandie Express 30th April-14th May before she returns to her Portsmouth-Le Havre/Cherbourg duties.

The Barfleur’s work is part of the £320 million programme to install such equipment with other ships to receive it from the autumn of 2014 being the Normandie and Cap Finistere. Meanwhile, the Mont St Michel, Armorique and Pont-Aven will be converted to run on liquefied natural gas. The company has also warned that staff numbers will be cut, fares will be increased, ‘marginal routes’ may have to close, and the frequency of others will be reduced.

To make the necessary engine modifications, Brittany Ferries firm has asked the UK Government for an additional two years beyond the January 2015 deadline, a plea backed by the UK Chamber of Shipping.