Brittany Ferries, the French ferry operator, will introduce the passenger and freight vessel Wexford on the Rosslare-Cherbourg route from March 2027, replacing the freight-focused Norbay, which has operated on temporary charter, as reported by HGV Ireland. The ship offers about 2,500 lane metres of vehicle capacity, giving Irish hauliers more direct freight capacity to France.

Brittany Ferries is headquartered in Brittany and owned mainly by Breton agricultural cooperatives, which hold 73.21% of its capital, according to Nation.Cymru. The same report stated consolidated turnover of €615.02 million for 2025, including Condor Ferries.

Wexford, currently operating as Vizzavona, will run three weekly return crossings between Rosslare Europort and Cherbourg, plus one weekly rotation between Portsmouth and Cherbourg. It will sail under the French flag with a French crew.

The structural driver is Brexit. Many operators moving goods between Ireland and continental Europe have relied on the UK landbridge, and direct services from Rosslare offer an alternative that avoids transiting Great Britain and exposure to UK border procedures and Channel disruption.

Direct sailings also open the way for unaccompanied trailer operations, so transport companies can move freight without a driver travelling with every trailer. Freight volumes between Ireland and France rose 73% in 2024, when the company’s consolidated turnover reached €516 million excluding Condor, as reported by the Irish Examiner.

Wexford can carry up to 500 passengers, with 146 cabins and space for about 130 cars, a significant improvement on the cabin facilities of Norbay. The ship keeps substantial freight capacity while letting Brittany Ferries develop its passenger business on the route.

The company’s planned 2027 network will provide up to seven weekly return crossings between Rosslare and Cherbourg using a combination of vessels. It also plans two weekly returns between Rosslare and Bilbao and two between Cork and Roscoff, with five vessels serving the Irish market: Salamanca, Wexford, Clipper, Armorique and Pont-Aven.

For the sector, the expanding network gives Irish transport operators greater choice when moving goods between Ireland, France, Spain and other European destinations.