MV Armorique

The M/V "Armorique" is a passenger and freight ferry currently on order by Brittany Ferries from Aker Finnyards in Finland at a cost of £81 million (€110 million) [http://www.brittanyferries.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3226] [http://www.bfenthusiasts.com/armorique/] [http://www.akeryards.com/?page=117&techinfo=90] . Delivery is due in Spring 2009 (originally September 2008) [http://www.brittany-ferries.fr/armorique] , the first sailing is currently scheduled for 10th February 2009 [http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/routes/plymouth-roscoff/timetable] , when she will replace the MV Pont L'Abbé. Armorique is named after a national park of outstanding beauty in western Brittany. Armorique was also the name of a previous Brittany Ferries vessel purchased for service between Portsmouth and St Malo in 1975 and sold in 1993.

Once the Armorique is handed over to Brittany Ferries she will sail under the French flag and be registered in Morlaix.

Regular Route

*Plymouth-Roscoff

The vessel is being built specifically for this route, however, as with past Roscoff based ships, she may be used on other routes to cover the refits of her fleet mates.

Design

Armorique will be identical to the "Cotentin" from keel to deck five. The first deck of passenger space will be deck six rather then deck 7 as on the "Cotentin".

Initial artist impressions from Aker Yards showed a vessel that shared a number of similarities to the "Cotentin" [http://www.akeryards.com/upload/ships/72dpi/brittany_1362_netti.jpg] however in December Brittany Ferries released an altered artist's impression of the "Armorique". Revisions include a design change to the funnel and upper cabin deck along with alterations to the proposed livery.

Pictures released by Brittany Ferries show the ship will have double deck vehicle access at the bow and stern to decks 3 and 5 though while on her usual route loading of deck 5 will be via an internal ramp due to lack of double deck facilities at Plymouth or Roscoff. The stern door will be narrower then the one fitted to the "Cotentin".

Onboard facilities

*Restaurants
*Bar
*Large shopping area
*Cinema
*Games Planet
*250 Cabins including Commodore Cabins
*Reclining Seat Lounges

External links

* [http://www.brittanyferries.com Brittany Ferries official site]
* [http://www.brittanyferries.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3260 Armorique official press release]
* [http://www.bfenthusiasts.com Brittany Ferries Enthusiasts - Unofficial Guide to the Western Channel ferry company.]