Brittany Ferries: no fuel surcharge for travellers this summer

Brittany Ferries will not raise ticket prices this summer due to the fuel crisis, the operator has pledged.

The company, which serves several routes between the UK and France, says it hedged the price for most of its summer 2026 fuel in January, meaning it has not been affected by heightened oil prices or shipment delays.

Arrangements for some 50% of its fuel for 2027 have already been put in place – placing the company ahead of airlines that are currently facing a dash to secure summer kerosene supplies or risk cancellations.

Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Matthieu made the price commitment in a message posted on the company’s website, and stated prices would not rise across the next six months, covering the summer schedule. 

“We bought around 80% of our fuel needs before the season, but at a price set by the markets at the time, in January, when [the cost of a barrel of crude oil] was around $70,” he told ICI Breizh Izel.

“Our prices were adjusted at the start of the year solely based on inflation, and for nothing else. There will be no fuel surcharge… to vacationers' tickets in response to the crisis in the Gulf.” 

The Connexion asked ferry operator DFDS if it planned fare rises. A spokesperson replied: “Ticket prices are based on evaluation on the individual routes. At this point, we do not anticipate immediate price increases on our Jersey and Dieppe routes. 

“We have fuel supply arrangements in place and do not expect shortages to impact our operations,” they added. 

P&O Ferries says it will reply on this question later - we will add in this information once received.

For Brittany Ferries it means the shockwaves reverberating from higher oil prices – leading to higher refinement costs and ultimately more expensive fuel – have been avoided.

In addition, it has not needed to cancel any sailings due to fuel shortage issues, and is not expected to do so over the summer period. 

“If prices had fallen [for oil, after the company purchased it in January] we would have lost. Our fuel costs would have been higher than the market price. But when the price of a barrel increased, and significantly due to external events, our hedging strategy proved effective,” Mr Mathieu said.

Surge in summer sales

Rising flight prices and risks of last minute cancellations due to jet fuel shortages are likely a contributing factor to the operator’s strong sales figures for the summer period. 

In recent weeks, summer bookings have increased by 37% compared to last year. 

“In the travel industry, you may have seen the concerns expressed by airlines… These alerts concerned me, and I am sure they concerned you as well. However, I would like to reassure you: they in no way concern Brittany Ferries or the destinations served by sea,” said Mr Mathieu. 

“I wanted as many people as possible to understand that there is no risk that Brittany Ferries will run out of fuel. You can be completely assured that we will take you to your destination.

“Everyone should be able to trust that their travel company will do the right thing, without cutting promised services because results are lower than budgeted.” 

The ferry operator has seen a number of changes to its scheduled routes this year, including more frequent services between France and the Republic of Ireland.