COTENTIN became surplus on the Cherbourg–Rosslare route, where it is being replaced by another vessel, while Brittany Ferries’ oldest RoPax, the 1992-built BARFLEUR, became redundant following the closure of the Cherbourg–Poole route.

BARFLEUR is temporarily replacing COTENTIN between Cherbourg and Rosslare. Brittany Ferries attributed the fleet reduction to rising costs associated with the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and increased financing costs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arab Bridge Maritime formally took delivery of COTENTIN in Cherbourg on 19 October, when the ferry was renamed NEFERTITI and transferred from the French to the Jordanian flag. Delivered by Aker Yards in Finland, COTENTIN initially served Brittany Ferries’ Cherbourg–Poole and Poole–Santander routes. As NEFERTITI, it becomes by far Arab Bridge Maritime’s largest RoPax in terms of freight capacity.

Just over a month has passed since Arab Bridge Maritime last acquired a relatively modern, freight-oriented RoPax in Europe. That vessel was CIUDAD DE IBIZA, purchased from Spain’s Trasmediterránea and now operating under Jordanian ownership as AL JISR.

And earlier this month, Attica Holdings’ 1987-built RoPax LEFKA ORI, now renamed DALEELA EXPRESS, was also sold to Arab Bridge Maritime — more precisely, to a company with a registered CO-address at Arab Ship Management, the ISM manager for Arab Bridge Maritime’s fleet. Arab Bridge Maritime announced record profits for the first nine months of the year, and said another RoPax was set to join its fleet alongside a capacity expansion on the Safaga–Duba corridor between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Following the acquisition of COTENTIN, Arab Bridge Maritime’s fleet now comprises 12 vessels, consisting of five RoPax ferries, three RoRo vessels and four high-speed ferries.

Read also: Record nine-month profit for Arab Bridge

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