Brittany Ferries ends Portsmouth–Le Havre early after a technical problem on Commodore Clipper

The BBC reported on 22 September 2026 that Brittany Ferries is shutting its Portsmouth–Le Havre route earlier than planned, after a technical problem with a ship. The company had said earlier this year that the last sailing would be on 28 September. It said an issue with Commodore Clipper meant the vessel could no longer complete its final sailings. Travellers already booked can transfer to other crossings or get a full refund.

The company is ending the route, along with its Poole–Cherbourg service, because of financial challenges. Brittany Ferries said: "We apologise to all affected customers, and are sorry that the route can't complete its final sailings; we know many had hoped to be part of them." It said: "It has been a pleasure for all at Brittany Ferries to link Portsmouth and Le Havre since 2013." It added: "However, the current economic context means the route is no longer viable and, sadly, we have had to make the difficult decision to close it."

The BBC said that when the changes were announced in June, the company said it faced a bill of €27m in 2026, which it blamed on rising taxes, Covid loan repayments, unfair competition and fewer travellers. The company said that although it had repaid half of its Covid support loan, significant debt remained, alongside new costs from the European Union Emissions Trading System, despite major investments in greener ships.

Brittany Ferries said it would continue to offer a "comprehensive service" from Portsmouth, with regular sailings to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo in France, to Guernsey in the Channel Islands, and to Santander and Bilbao in Spain.