Saint-Malo ferry
Former names: AVIC Weihai W0278, ZHAOSHANG278
Saint-Malo ferry current position
Saint-Malo ferry current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 43.73555 N / -4.37645 W) cruising at speed of 17.1 kn (32 km/h | 20 mph) en route to Santander. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.
Current PositionSpecifications of Saint-Malo ferry
Year of build | 2024 new ship |
Flag state | Cyprus |
Builder | AVIC CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard (Weihai, China) |
Class | STENA E-FLEXER cruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship) |
Ferry route / homeports | Portsmouth-Caen-St Malo |
Engines (power) | Wartsila-LNG (30.4 MW / 40767 hp) |
Speed | 23 kn / 43 km/h / 26 mph |
Length (LOA) | 195 m / 640 ft |
Beam (width) | 28 m / 92 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 30000 gt |
Passengers | 1310 |
Cars | 470 |
Freight vehicles | 63 |
Decks | 10 |
Cabins | 386 |
Decks with cabins | 3 |
Sister-ships | Guillaume de Normandie |
Former names | AVIC Weihai W0278, ZHAOSHANG278 |
Christened by | tba |
Owner | Stena AB (via Stena RoRo AB) |
Operator | BRITTANY FERRIES |
Saint-Malo ferry Review
Review of Saint-Malo ferry
MS Saint-Malo ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned by STENA LINE and operated under charter by the French company BRITTANY FERRIES. The ship has a max capacity of 1310 passengers, and cargo capacity of/storage for 470 cars or 120 trailers (alternative 52 cars plus 63 trucks). The vessel was launched in 2023 and scheduled for delivery/inauguration in 2024 July.
Saint-Malo is intended for the UK England-France ferry route Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham (crossing time ~6 hours) and Portsmouth-St Malo (crossing time ~11 hours).
Of the same design and deployed on the same route is the sistership Guillaume de Normandie (2025).
Note: For construction milestones and details on the E-FLEXER technology/machinery see the ship's Wiki section.
Cabins
As cruiseferry, Saint-Malo has a total of 386 passenger cabins (including 54x Luxury, 5x Family, 28x Pet-friendly, and Truck-Driver cabins), all of which are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathrooms, LCDTV (free on-demand movies), hairdryer, writing/dining table. The ferry company provides bed linens, towels, and toiletries. The cruise ship additionally has reclining seats. A total of 8 staterooms are wheelchair-accessible (adapted for passengers with disabilities).
The passenger staterooms as categories are 2-Berth Commodore Suite, 2-Berth Commodore Club, 4-Berth Outside "Club Plus", 4-Berth Outside "Club", 4-Berth Inside, 2-Berth Inside, as well as Wheelchair-Accessible (Premium Plus outside and inside) and Pet-Friendly (double and quads, both are with linoleum flooring). All 4-bed staterooms are with either twin beds (lower fixed single beds) or bunk beds (lower and upper Murphy beds/folding from the wall).
Unlike passenger staterooms, freight driver cabins (aft on deck 8) lack en suite bathrooms and have shared bathing and toilet facilities.
MS Saint-Malo's largest staterooms are the Commodore Suites. These luxury accommodations are fitted with a Queen-size double bed (160x200 cm, premium-brand mattress, top-quality cotton linens), comfortable seating (2x armchairs and a round coffee table), writing/dining table (with a tea and coffee-making facility), complimentary mini-bar (small refrigerator stocked with bottled water, soft drinks, light snacks).
Commodore Suite and Commodore Club cabin passengers also get free access to C-Club Premium Lounge (forward on deck 8).
Also available are reserved lounge seats and baby cots (for infants under 2 years of age/provided upon request).
All passengers must vacate their staterooms 30 min prior to homeport arrival.
Of all 10 decks, 3 are with passenger cabins.
Shipboard dining and entertainment options
As facilities, the Saint-Malo cruise ship offers:
- A La Carte Restaurant (120-seat, offers locally-sourced meals prepared by French chefs)
- (Deck 7) Azul Restaurant (self-service Main Dining Room/buffet restaurant, hot and cold meals) - ticket price-inclusive are 1x 3-course dinner and 1x Continental breakfast. Restaurant Azul is open for Breakfast (Continental, waiter-served), Lunch (buffet) and Dinner (3-course meals).
- Taberna de Tapas / Cafe Bar (light meal, sandwiches, tapas, cakes, pastries, hot/cold drinks, HDTVs) the Cafe Restaurant serves tapas (from patatas/papas bravas to traditional regional Spanish favorites) and various hot dishes from the menu. Taberna de Tapas offers waiter-served Continental or Spanish breakfast and (during summer only) the inclusive 3-course dinner from Azul Restaurant.
- Plaza Mayor is a large bar lounge serving food (snacks and light bites) and beverages (including Spanish wines and beers) throughout the day, as well as Afternoon Tea (coffee and pastries/cakes). The venue features plenty of natural light (coming from its SkyLight / glass-roof cover) and a large HDTV streaming live sporting events and music.
- Art Gallery
- (Deck 8) Commodore C-Club Premium Lounge is a limited-capacity bar lounge with large, round-shaped windows (providing 270-degree views), HDTVs, comfortable seating (sofas, armchairs, round tables), two exclusive Restrooms (for men and women). The lounge access is complimentary for Commodore-class passengers and at-fee for lower-class cabins. The fee is payable onboard (at the Reception Desk) or prior to departure (online, upon booking). C-Club Lounge's access includes beverages (hot and cold) and light food (snacks, hot and cold dishes) which are provided complimentary throughout the day.
- 2 cinemas - tickets can be purchased from Information Desk
- (Deck 7) Kids Playroom is an indoor playground (an enclosed part of Azul Restaurant) with a complimentary children's entertainment program (digital and interactive games, arts-crafts, physical activities) by dedicated youth supervisors. Another two Kids' Play Areas (indoor playgrounds are located midship on decks 8 and 10.
- Games Planet (teen lounge - video games, air hockey, foosball)
- Chance Planet (casino/gambling lounge with slot machines)
- Reading Lounge
- 2 Reserved Seating Lounges (with reclining / Pullman seats)
- Le Bar (fine French wines, cocktails, cold/hot drinks, HDTVs)
- Les Boutiques (two duty-free shops) sell gifts, souvenirs, spirits, wines (large wine cellar), tobaccos, perfumes, cosmetics, leather goods, toys, books, confectionery, refreshments, clothing, cameras, sunglasses, jewelry). Special shopping promotions are held on each voyage.
- free Wi-Fi, ATM/cash machine (next to Information Desk / Reception), disabled toilets, Baby Changing Rooms, complimentary Baggage Room
Two elevators (passenger lifts positioned forward and aft) access all cabin decks as well as the car decks.
Sun Deck (Deck 10) is a large outdoor area that doubles as Helideck (helipad) - a helicopter landing platform used in cases of emergency. On sundeck can be found canopy-shaded seating areas (round tables with garden armchairs), sunbathing areas (with deckchairs and sun loungers), an outdoor Gym (sports equipment), an outdoor playground for kids.
In the ship's Lobby Hall (close to the Reception) are located several information kiosks (Internet-connected PC terminals) with touch screens available complimentary to all passengers.
MS Saint-Malo is BRITTANY FERRIES' third liner (after Galicia and Salamanca) that offers shipwide VOD service (video-on-demand / movies, radio, TV programming). The service is provided via passengers' mobile devices (using the complimentary Wi-Fi) or via the smart HDTVs in the staterooms.
The cruiseferry features a collection of ~1000 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs.
All onboard emergency instructions are displayed in staterooms, on the TV screens and at the ship's assembly stations (aka muster stations). Life jackets are issued at the assembly stations. In case of emergency, the use of elevators/passenger lifts is forbidden.
BRITTANY FERRIES cruise deals
The company offers regularly scheduled ferry services between England and France (travel time on cruise ferries 3-4 hours) and between France and Spain (travel time 20-36 hours). The high-speed UK-France service allows the ships to successfully target the UK's "mini cruise" and holiday travel markets.
As on cruise vessels, all BRITTANY FERRIES ships offer passenger cabins with modern amenities, individually controlled air-conditioning and en-suite facilities. Cruise accommodations range from 2-bed "Inside Cabin" to "Commodore Suite" (with in-cabin dining / Afternoon Tea and Breakfast service). Some suites are with private balconies.
Onboard food is predominantly French cuisine and prepared by French chefs. All ships have a la carte priced restaurants, self-service cafeteria, selection of bars, live entertainment (singers, magicians, pantomimes for kids), at least one cinema, casino, arcade room, Bureau de Change, baby changing rooms, disabled toilets, Sun Deck areas, free of charge Wi-Fi.
Cruise ferries on France-Spain routes have swimming pools (open during summer months only), as well as kids' play areas with supervised activities (during holidays only). Spa treatment rooms on Spain-France cruise ferries offer facials (from ProCare), massages (by certified masseuses), modern massage chairs, pedicures and manicure services (OPI nail varnishes), treatments using skincare products by the French brand "Filorga Professional".
Ships' boutique shops sell at discount prices tobacco and alcohol (budget and premium wines and spirits), as well as luxury brand perfumes and cosmetics, designer jewelry, watches, sunglasses, souvenirs, toys.
Fun fact is that BRITTANY FERRIES serve annually around 22 tons of langoustines (Norway lobster), 15 tons of smoked salmon, 260 tons of meat, 240,000 English breakfasts, 333,000 liters of beer. By onboard sold perfumes, the company is ranked France's 3rd largest perfume retailer.
- Ferry fares are based on departure dates, routes and time (season).
- GBP 35 deposit is required to secure bookings during the peak summer season.
- Summer prices are usually higher. Same goes for the weekends and overnight crossings.
- Departures in the mornings, afternoons and overnights are offered throughout the whole year.
- Overnight France-Spain crossings are 7 in a week.
- Mix and match route deals are also available.
Follows the list of all BRITTANY FERRIES routes with crossing times and frequencies.
- Portsmouth-Caen (6 hours) - 3 daily
- Portsmouth-St Malo (11 hours / overnight) - daily
- Portsmouth-Cherbourg (3 hours) - 10 return (in the period late April - early September)
- Portsmouth-Santander Spain (24 hours / overnight) - 3 crossings weekly
- Portsmouth-Bilbao Spain (24-36 hours) - 2 crossings weekly
- Portsmouth-Le Havre (5,5 hours) - daily return crossings
- Poole-Cherbourg (4 hours 15 min) - daily return
- Plymouth-Roscoff (6 hours) 2 return
- Plymouth-Santander Spain (20 hours) - direct weekly crossings
- Cork Ireland-Roscoff (14 hours) - weekly, return crossings in the period April-November)
- Cork-Santander (26,5 hours) - 2 weekly return crossings
Pets on the ship
BRITTANY FERRIES is a DEFRA (UK and EU)-approved pet carrier by the ET140 (Pet Travel Scheme). Pets on the cruise ship can travel either in a Pet-friendly passenger cabin or in a kennel (for dogs). Pets are not allowed to stay in vehicles.
The shipping company requires dogs to be muzzled and leashed when off the vehicles or the stateroom - which also includes the ship's pet-exercise area (on Deck 7). It is recommended that prior to boarding the ferry, dogs to be exercised and toileted.
At check-in onboard, dog's chip is scanned and its passport checked. A sticker is placed on the car's windscreen to ensure that the pet-carrying vehicle is appropriately parked. Don't remove the sticker during the voyage. Pets are allowed only in the designated staterooms (pet-friendly) and at the ship's designated pet exercise zone (Deck 7) and not in any other public areas. An exception is made only for registered assistance dogs.
Vehicles carrying pets are greeted in the parking (car deck) by dedicated crew. Pets stay temporarily in the vehicles whilst their owners exit the garage for check-in. Shortly prior departure, pet owners are called to the Reception Desk, then escorted (together with the pet) between the car deck and the cabin. One hour before port arrival, an announcement is made (via the ship's PA system) asking pet owners to return to their cabins. Soon, a crew escorts them to their vehicles, where the animals remain until arrival. Pet owners are not allowed to remain in the vehicles. After arrival, a PA system announcement invites pet owners to return to their vehicles.
For safety reasons, in bad weather, pets must remain in the cabins and the access to their exercise areas is forbidden.
The cruiseferry Saint-Malo provides small and large dog kennels (12 total). The kennel must be pre-booked. Small kennels are recommended for dog breeds like Toy Poodle, King Charles Spaniel, Terrier, Jack Russell. Large kennels are recommended for dog breeds like German Shepherd, Labrador, Dalmatian, Boxer, Pointer, Setter.
Car decks
Follows a list of car decks-related safety procedures:
- Disabled passengers or those requiring specific assistance should visit the ship's Information Desk, open 24 hours).
- Apply the handbrake and place the vehicle in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, headlights. Gas cylinders, if any, must be switched off. Lock the vehicle.
- From your vehicle take only valuables and essential hand baggage.
- Make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.
- Access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is prohibited.
- Smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges is forbidden.
- Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
In order to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.
The operator/ship charterer Brittany Ferries (fleet, 1972-founded, headquartered in Roscoff France) is a French ferry company operating on the shipping routes France-UK and France-Spain.
Saint-Malo ferry ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
China Merchants Jinling delivers Ro-Pax ferry Saint-Malo for Brittany Ferries
China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) delivered Saint-Malo, a new Ro-Pax ferry commissioned by Sweden's Stena RoRo for operation by Brittany...
October 17, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Brittany Ferries prepares for Saint-Malo ship's delivery after successful sea trials
China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) recently completed sea trials for the Saint-Malo ferry/Ro-Pax ship ordered by Sweden’s Stena...
September 23, 2024 - Cruise Industry
China Merchants Jinling Shipyard launches new LNG-fueled ferry for Stena and Brittany Ferries
AVIC CMI Jinling Weihai Shipyard (Weihai, China) recently conducted the launch of a new LNG-fueled ferry, a joint endeavor between Sweden's Stena...
October 9, 2023 - Cruise Industry
World's largest hybrid cruiseferry to serve the Britain-France route
The cruise ship set to carry travelers between the UK and France in the next few years will be the world's largest hybrid vessel. In a statement...
June 25, 2022 - show more news
Other BRITTANY FERRIES cruise ships
Saint-Malo ferry Wiki
The shipbuilding order with China Merchants for E-FLEXERs 10th (Alasuinu), 11th (Saint-Malo) and 12th (Guillaume de Normandie) was placed by Stena RoRo in May 2022. Stena's equipment order with Wartsila Marine Power was placed on June 21st, and signed by Hakan Agnevall (Wartsila's President and CEO), Christophe Mathieu (Brittany Ferries' CEO) and Per Westling (Stena RoRo's Managing Director).
The cruise ship Saint-Malo (Jinling Weihai Shipyard/hull number W0278) is the 11th E-Flexer, with shipowner Stena RoRo while Brittany Ferries is the operator/charterer. The ship features innovative design and top-notch marine technologies. Its Wartsila LNG engines run on fuel without any sulfur emissions, which results in less COx and soot particulates in comparison to diesel-powered vessels. The propulsion system is diesel-electric, consisting of modern Azipod units (azimuth thrusters). This type of propulsion is generally used extensively on large-sized cruise ships as it generates less noise and vibrations and also optimizes fuel consumption at lower speeds. The powerplant's combined output is 30 MW.
Wartsila's equipment includes the main and auxiliary engines, gearboxes, and batteries, as well as the propulsion machinery (CPPs/controllable pitch propellers, azimuthing thrusters), the LNG-supply system, and the automated control-monitoring-navigation system (NACOS MULTIPILOT Platinum) that integrates the navigation equipment with an IP radar and ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information).
For each LNG-powered E-Flexer, Wartsila signed with Brittany Ferries a 10-year service agreement to provide technical support (for MS Saint-Malo it is through July 2034).
The ship usually switches to LNG+battery or battery-only modes when approaching harbors and at berth (when docked).
The ship's battery storage (Leclanche Navius MRS-3 Marine Rack System) guarantees a maximum consumption of 10 MWh (electricity) used by the propulsion system when the ship is maneuvering in port. The battery power alone allows max speed of 17,5 knots (32 kph/20 mph). The lithium-ion batteries' total capacity is 11,5 Mwh (max 940 volts), which is nearly double the storage capacity installed on new large-sized Ro-Pax vessels with hybrid propulsion (like the 2019-built Color Hybrid). The hybrid technology reduces fuel consumption by ~9% and greenhouse gas emissions by ~15%, in comparison to the still predominant diesel propulsion.
In August 2021, Deltamarin Ltd (1990-founded naval architecture and engineering firm based in Turku Finland) was contracted by the shipbuilder (China Merchants Jinling Shipyard Co Ltd) for the complete design packages of 3x Stena E-Flexer class units (10th, 11th and 12th vessels in the series) for two different clients - Marine Atlantic (10th E-Flexer), and Brittany Ferries (11th and 12th). Marine Atlantic's ferry has smaller capacity (1100 passengers and 2600 lanemeters).
In June 2022, the French company Leclanche SA officially announced the new Navius MRS-3 (third-generation marine battery system, an upgrade of the previous MRS-2 version). MRS-3 has major enhancements, including faster charging, a more compact size (46 battery strings) and liquid-cooled design increasing the lifespan/cycle life (10-year guarantee) and the energy density (~50% higher in comparison to air-cooled battery systems).
Saint-Malo also has a shore-power connection (for battery charging when berthed) with capacity 8 MW.
The ferry's name (Saint-Malo) was officially announced on June 1, 2022, by Christophe Mathieu.
On January 12, 2023, Leclanche SA was contracted by Stena RoRo to provide the battery systems for Brittany Ferries' newest ships (Saint-Malo and Guillaume de Normandie). The contract was signed by Staffan Stenfelt (Stena RoRo's General Manager Newbuilding), Phil Broad (Leclanche E-Mobility's CEO) and Arnaud Le Poulichet (Brittany Ferries' Director Engineering and Maintenance).
Saint-Malo's cargo capacity is 2521 lanemeters, including 1388 lanemeters for passenger cars (allowing storage for up to 470 vehicles) and the remaining 1129 lanemeters are for trucks (max 63) or other wheeled cargo.
The vessel's construction started with the steel-cutting ceremony on September 5, 2022, held at AVIC Weihai Shipyard (Weihai, China).
The ship was launched/floated out from drydock on October 7, 2023.
The official delivery to STENA RORO was on October 17, 2024 (postponed from July).
Like the first LNG-fueled E-FLEXER (Salamanca), Saint-Malo has two Wartsila 12V46DF (dual-fuel engines) while the previous E-Flexers are fitted with two Caterpillar M43C (MaK engines). The more powerful Wartsila engines (13,74 MW each) allow for higher service speed (23 Kn / 22 Kn on the other E-Flexers) as required by Brittany Ferries to maintain the Portsmouth-Bilbao route's schedule. Salamanca additionally has three Wartsila 20DF auxiliary engines (also dual-fuel) with GVUs (gas valve units) that control the LNG feed pressure according to the engine load.
The vessel (IMO number 9946336) is currently Cyprus-flagged (MMSI 210365000) but will be reflagged to France and French-crewed/staffed. It is named after the port city Saint-Malo (France's Brittany region, Ille-et-Vilaine department).
Saint-Malo is Brittany Ferries' third LNG-powered ship and the fleet's first with a hybrid battery technology. With the same design is the sistership Guillaume de Normandie (2025). Both cruiseferries were intended for the UK-France route Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham, to replace the company's oldest ships Bretagne (Saint-Malo) and Normandie (Guillaume de Normandie).
Brittany Ferries' Portsmouth-Caen service was launched in 1986.
Like Guillaume de Normandie, Saint-Malo is bareboat-chartered by Brittany Ferries from Stena RoRo for a period of 10 years. The bareboat/demise charter deal with STENA includes a purchase option for BRITTANY FERRIES after four years (in 2028).
On May 16, 2022, Brittany Ferries signed with Titan LNG (Amsterdam Holland-based gas supplier) a long-term partnership for supplying both new Ro-Pax vessels with LNG and LBM (Liquified Bio Methane). The deal was signed by Frederic Pouget (Brittany Ferries' Operations and Ports Director) and Regine Portocarero (Titan LNG's Business Development Manager).
Stena E-FLEXER ship technology
E-FLEXER-class ferries were designed by Deltamarin (a subsidiary of AVIC International) specializing in ship design and offshore engineering and construction.
The first six E-FLEXERs have LOA length 215 m (704 ft), width 28 m (91 ft), max draft 6,4 m (21 ft), cargo deck capacity 3100 lanemeters (plus additional space for 120 cars).
The 7th and 8th FLEXERs are larger - 45000 GT-tons, LOA 240 m (790 ft), freight capacity 3600 lanemeters, 263 cabins, passenger capacity 1200. Interior layouts are according to the chartering company's requirements. For their interior were contracted the companies Figura Arkitekter AB (Sweden) and Rheinhold & Mahla GmbH (Germany).
Next are listed all China-built STENA E-FLEXER ships constructed by CMI Jinling (Weihai).
E-FLEXER number | SHIP | OPERATOR | ROUTE | DELIVERY | misc. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Stena Estrid | Stena Line | Holyhead-Dublin | 2019 Nov | - |
2 | Stena Edda | Stena Line | Belfast-Liverpool | 2020 Jan | - |
4 | Stena Embla | Stena Line | Belfast-Liverpool | 2020 Nov | - |
Galicia | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Cherbourg-Santander Rosslare-Cherbourg-Bilbao | 2020 Aug | - | |
5 | Cote d'Opale | DFDS Ferries | Dover-Calais | 2021 May | - |
6 | Salamanca | Brittany Ferries | - | 2021 Nov | LNG-powered |
7 | Stena Estelle | Stena Line | Karlskrona-Gdynia | 2022 May | extended version |
8 | Stena Ebba | Stena Line | Karlskrona-Gdynia | 2022 Sept | extended version |
9 | Santona | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Cherbourg-Santander/Bilbao Rosslare-Cherbourg-Bilbao | 2022 Dec | LNG-powered |
10 | Alasuinu | Marine Atlantic (Canada) | Newfoundland-Nova Scotia (Channel-Port aux Basques - North Sydney) | 2024 | LNG+battery |
11 | Saint-Malo | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham Portsmouth-St Malo | 2024 Jul | LNG+battery |
12 | Guillaume de Normandie | Brittany Ferries | Portsmouth-Caen/Ouistreham Portsmouth-St Malo | 2025 May | LNG+battery |
The first five E-FLEXERs are powered by two MaK marine diesel engines (model M43C) with total power output 25,2 MW (33,800 hp). The propulsion system is by Caterpillar. Ships. The engines are "LNG-ready" (designed to be compatible with LNG fuel after some modifications) Four E-FLEXERs (ships 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th) are LNG-fueled by the original design.
Stena E-FLEXERs are among the world's most energy-efficient passenger ships ever constructed.