A new cruiseferry powered by LNG (liquified natural gas) took to the water for the first time at an official ship-launching ceremony in Germany. Hundreds at FSG shipyard watched on as Brittany Ferries’ Honfleur ferry slid down into the waters of Flensburg Fjord at midday, December 14.
The launch is the third construction milestone of the ferry, following the first steel cut in March and the keel laying in August. Since the ship's keel laying ceremony, 118 steel hull sections had been welded together to create the 10,000-tonne, 6-storey Honfleur that was launched today. The hull already contains all the main machinery, including an environmentally-friendly LNG propulsion system.
The launch of the ferry marks the beginning of the next phase of construction. A pair of ‘mega blocks' are currently en route to FSG from Polish shipyards and will be hoisted into position via cranes. The modern interiors will be installed before Honfleur completes a series of sea trials.
The maiden voyage of the vessel will take passengers from Portsmouth to Caen and Ouistreham in summer 2019.