Based on the Irish Times report today 23 July, it would seem that Brittany Ferries are anticipating a strong switch from landbridge to direct Ireland-continent services post -Brexit.

This would make sense as it is quite likely that Dover and kent are going to be a physical and bureaucratic chaos zone for trucks come January 2021.

There is no other explanation for Brittany embarking on one of the most significant - and welcome - expansion in their services in their history in Ireland

Based on the Irish Times report today 23 July, it would seem that Brittany Ferries are anticipating a strong switch from landbridge to direct Ireland-continent services post -Brexit.

This would make sense as it is quite likely that Dover and kent are going to be a physical and bureaucratic chaos zone for trucks come January 2021.

There is no other explanation for Brittany embarking on one of the most significant - and welcome - expansion in their services in their history in Ireland

It really looks like it, with all the uncertainty (between Covid and Brexit), it's great to see BF willing to commit so much resources to the Irish routes (and adapt to hauliers requests).

Yeah, I reckon Brittany Ferries are here for the long haul and not just in it's new Rosslare Europort base given that it's long established Cork to Roscoff service has now been given a major boost with two impressive vessels the MV Pont-Aven on Saturdays and now the Armorique on Wednesdays in 2021. BF has effectively replaced Irish Ferries by introducing a new Rosslare to Cherbourg link in addition to it's newly launched Rosslare to Bilbao link.

Not sure if the mid-week Rosslare to Roscoff service announced earlier this year has been axed with Cork to Roscoff midweek sailings recommencing next season. 

Not sure if the mid-week Rosslare to Roscoff service announced earlier this year has been axed with Cork to Roscoff midweek sailings recommencing next season.

Roscoff is being moved to Rosslare at the request for freight hauliers:

Brittany Ferries are opening a new route from Rosslare to Cherbourg beginning on March 22nd using Etretat. Looks like its replacing the Rosslare-Roscoff service.   

Not sure if the mid-week Rosslare to Roscoff service announced earlier this year has been axed with Cork to Roscoff midweek sailings recommencing next season.

Roscoff is being moved to Rosslare at the request for freight hauliers:

Brittany Ferries are opening a new route from Rosslare to Cherbourg beginning on March 22nd using Etretat. Looks like its replacing the Rosslare-Roscoff service.   

It's confusing as a piece I've read in The Irish Times seemed to suggest that "a third" Cork to Roscoff service is to be added but I think this is incorrect. Cork had already lost it's Mid-Week sailings to Roscoff during the 2020 Summer season (prior to the Coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic) when the Cork Santander link was axed and replaced by a new Rosslare Bilbao route since the end of February. The vessel MV KERRY doing Rosslare Bilbao had also been doing Rosslare Roscoff mid-week. Therefore, I think as far as Cork and Roscoff is concerned, it signals a re-instatement of a 2nd Cork to Roscoff service during the mid-week period next season albeit; on another cruise ferry the Armorique rather than using one of Brittany Ferries economie vessels: MV Kerry, Connemara or Etretat.

In a piece yesterday in the Irish Examiner, there was also reference to use of the vessel, "Connemara" from Rosslare although; there is no mention of it being used in the restructuring of it's Irish route network operations for 2021 on Brittany Ferries Ireland site unless the website is still being updated on some aspects. I gather hauliers in both Ireland and on the continent much prefer using the French port of Cherbourg over Roscoff which has led to switch from the short-lived Rosslare-Roscoff to a new Rosslare Cherbourg route from 2021 season.

https://www.independent.ie/business/brittany-ferries-to-boost-its-ireland-france-links-39393347.html

I think what is now happening is that as part of the restructuring of it's Irish routes, Cork will acquire the Mid-Week sailings to Roscoff once again (on Wednesdays) using the cruise vessel: "Armorique" next year whilst the Pont-Aven will continue serving Cork to Roscoff on Saturdays. There are no booking dates on the Brittany Ferries website for Rosslare Roscoff after October 2020 even though booking for 2021 is already open online for their other routes.
Below is what I think will happen in 2021.

Cork to Roscoff, France: (twice-a-week departures)

Departs Saturday afternoons (using flagship cruise ferry, Pont-Aven)
Departs Wednesday afternoons* (using cruise ferry, Armorique from March 2021)

Rosslare to Cherbourg, France: (once-a-week departure)

Departing Monday evenings from 22 March 2021 (using economie ship, Etretat)

Rosslare to Bilbao, Spain: (twice-a-week departures)

Departs Wednesday morning (using economie ship, Kerry which will change to economie ship, Etretat from November onwards) 
Departs Fridays - 2 night crossing (using economie ship, Kerry which will change to economie ship, Etretat from November onwards)

Brittany Ferries vessel, Connemara which operates as a no frills economie service, will serve two weekly rotations from Rosslare to Bilbao, as well as a single Rosslare-Cherbourg rotation as of March next year.

No reference on Brittany Ferries Irish website portal although; it is referenced in it's press release dated 23/07/2020.

Source:
https://brittanyferriesnewsroom.com/brittany-ferries-to-launch-new-rosslare-cherbourg-route-in-2021-while-also-increasing-capacity-on-cork-roscoff-route/

Kerry's charter ends at the end of October and Connemara's charter ends in November

Kerry's charter ends at the end of October and Connemara's charter ends in November

According to Brittany Ferries press release statement issued 23/07/2020, it was Irish and French hauliers who had asked Brittany Ferries to move the weekly French rotation from Roscoff to the transport hub of Cherbourg. Brittany Ferries has agreed to their request and has now confirmed that the vessel, Connemara will serve two weekly rotations from Rosslare to Bilbao, as well as a single Rosslare-Cherbourg rotation as of March next year. I presume the current charter will be renewed beyond November if they intend using Connemara from March next year?

Source:
https://brittanyferriesnewsroom.com/brittany-ferries-to-launch-new-rosslare-cherbourg-route-in-2021-while-also-increasing-capacity-on-cork-roscoff-route/

The Galicia started sea trials today

Kerry's charter ends at the end of October and Connemara's charter ends in November

AFAIK Connemara charter is til May 2021.

On another note it I noticed on Brittany Ferries 2021 timetable that Pont Avens Friday night sailing from Roscoff to Cork now departs at 22.00/22.15 rather than the long established 20.30. Will give those traveling from the south of France a bit more time.

A 13 hour inboard crossing from Roscoff instead of the usual 14 , plus the first sailing of 2021 from Roscoff is at 23:59hrs .

Any idea when the chartered E-flexer from Stena is due and how she will slot in and affect the rosters? Given that Honfleur will not be arriving has this altered the original plan for deployments?

Any idea when the chartered E-flexer from Stena is due and how she will slot in and affect the rosters? Given that Honfleur will not be arriving has this altered the original plan for deployments?

The Galicia is already on the rostas for next year.  Portsmouth-Santander-Portsmouth with a roundtrip from Portsmouth-Cherbourg mid-week.  I'm booked on her next April to Santander, COVID-permitting.

There are details of the interior (CGI) on the BF webiste, including 360 degree tours.  Looks good.

Matt

It seems there is a chance that Honfleur construction will be finished by Siem who currently own her

It seems there is a chance that Honfleur construction will be finished by Siem who currently own her

Any details on that , links or is it speculation .