Papenburg, 05.06.2002 - The first Northern European car ferry to feature such cruise ship facilities as an open deck swimming pool and cabins with either sea view balconies or terraces will be introduced by Brittany Ferries in the spring of 2004. It will operate on the company's routes from the UK to Spain and France, and between France and Ireland.

The company confirmed today (Wednesday June 5) that a contract to build the £100 million, 40,000 tons vessel, to be called Pont-Aven, has been signed with the German shipbuilders MEYER WERFT of Papenburg. The ship will carry 2,200 passengers, 650 cars and 20 lorries. Pont-Aven will be 185 metres long with a 31-metre beam and will offer more space per passenger than current ferries. A service speed of 27 knots will mean the existing 24-hour crossing time between Plymouth and Santander in North Spain will be reduced to under 20 hours.

The open deck pool and café will be constructed under a transparent dome that can be opened or closed depending on the weather. The 650 cabins will all have en suite facilities while the top suites will have balconies or terraces. Other on board features will include a range of dining opportunities in à la carte and self service restaurants, bistros and tea rooms, a central atrium with panoramic lifts, a shopping mall, and cocktail and cabaret bars. This September, Brittany Ferries will be introducing the £80 million 36,000 tons Mont St Michel, currently fitting out in Rotterdam, on its Portsmouth-Caen Channel route The company's Managing Director, David Longden said: "The arrival of these two new ships in the next 24 months will take ferry travel onto an even higher level in terms of comfort, quality and value for money, which our competitors will find hard to match. This new building confirms Brittany Ferries' total confidence in the future of ferry travel."