Brittany Ferries’ brand-new hybrid ferry hoists French flag

Brittany Ferries’ new hybrid liquefied natural gas (LNG) electric ferry Saint-Malo has officially entered the French flag registry as the shipping company is preparing to christen the vessel next month.

As informed, the French flag was raised onboard the Saint-Malo, described as “the first large hybrid ship of the European merchant navy”, during a ceremony that took place in Santander, Spain, on December 5, 2024.

The newbuilding—which is owned by Swedish shipping company Stena RoRo and chartered to Brittany Ferries—docked in the Port of Santander on December 2, 2024.

After leaving CMI Jingling Shipyard in Weihai, China, the eco-friendly roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) ship crossed the China Seas and the Indian Ocean, passing the Cape of Good Hope to reach the Atlantic, and finally arrived in Spain, its first destination.

The hybrid ferry’s christening ceremony is scheduled for January 31, 2025, after which the ship will begin its rotations between Saint-Malo and Portsmouth on February 12, according to information provided by the French company.

The 194.7-meter-long vessel features “the biggest marine battery in the world” provided by Andorra-based marine battery manufacturer AYK Energy. The 12 megawatt-hour (MWh) Orion+ battery was manufactured and installed at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Weihai.

Designed to run on LNG, battery power, or a combination of the two, Saint-Malo will be able to operate on zero-emission battery power while entering and exiting ports.

In related news, Brittany Ferries said it received the Green Marine Europe label for the fifth consecutive year.

“This recognition highlights our commitment to sustainability and continuous environmental progress, from air and water quality to biodiversity protection. Together, we’re steering towards a greener future,” the company highlighted.