The Largest, Fastest Freighter on the Channel - Brittany Ferries "Cotentin" - Launched

On Thursday 12 April the new freight ship, "Cotentin", was launched at the Aker shipyard in Helsinki before being fitted out in readiness for being introduced into service this autumn.

The new £50 million vessel will be used between the UK and Cherbourg and Spain providing muchneeded additional freight capacity.

Jon Clarke, Freight Director, commented: "Cotentin can transport 120 freight units which is a capacity two and a half times more than her predecessor. This, combined with her cruising speed of 23 knots, means that this new ship will be very efficient for us to operate and the resulting high utilisation will enable us to include a weekend UK-Spain operation to accommodate this rapidly growing market."

Note to Editors:

• Cotentin will be 165 metres long and 26.8 metres wide. With a cruising speed of 23 knots, she will have 120 cabins and be able to accommodate 120 freight units.
• There are currently two ships on order with the Aker shipyard. The other is for a passenger ship, Armorique, due for delivery at the end of 2008 and which will be identical to Cotentin from the keel to deck five.
• The combined investment in these two ships totals £135 million

-Ends-

For further press information and pictures contact:
Stephen Tuckwell or Gwyn Cherriman at the Brittany Ferries Press Office
Tel: 02392 402 985
Email: pressoffice@brittanyferries.com

Released  18 April 2007