Brittany Ferries’ brand-new LNG-powered cruise ferry, Honfleur, has taken to the water for the first time at a traditional ship launching ceremony at the FSG shipyard in Flensburg, Germany.
Hundreds of well-wishers, invited guests, shipyard workers and Brittany Ferries team members lined the quaysides as the completed hull of the vessel slid down the historic building slipway and into the chilly waters of the Flensburg Fjord.
The launch is the third milestone in the construction of Honfleur, following cutting of the first steel in March, and laying of the keel in August.
Since the keel was laid, 118 huge steel hull sections have been welded together on the slipway to create the 10,000 tonne six-storey behemoth that was launched today.
The completed hull already contains all the ship’s main machinery including its efficient and environmentally-friendly LNG-electric propulsion system.
The launch marks Honfleur’s place in a long and historic line of ships to be constructed at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft yard situated on the tip of Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany.
Since its foundation in 1872 more than 750 ships have been designed and built at the site.
Honfleur represents a new generation of cross-Channel ferry combining state-of-the art design and sustainable thinking with a smart, digitally-informed customer experience.
The ship’s passengers will enjoy innovative experiences and fresh service concepts along with the highest standards of French onboard hospitality and catering.
Altogether Honfleur will carry up to 1,680 passengers and will offer 261 cabins, two cinemas, restaurants, boutique shopping and choice of spacious passenger lounges
Jean-Marc Roué, Brittany Ferries president, said: “Today’s a big day for Honfleur, and a proud moment for everyone at Brittany Ferries, particularly our teams dedicated to bringing the project to fruition.”