Portsmouth International Port, also known as Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port, is the harbour authority for the city of Portsmouth, Hampshire, located on the south coast of Great Britain.
History Portsmouth surveyed three locations for a ferry port at the end of the 1960s, before the current location near Whale Island was chosen. The choice was based on cost and the likely benefit of cross-channel ferries. The site was at the end of the newly constructed M275. Originally built with two berths, the site opened in 1976Shipping Today and Yesterday https://shippingtandy.com/features/portsmouth/ with the Earl William (Sealink) running to the Channel Islands, the Viking Victory (Townsend Thoresen) running to Cherbourg, and Brittany Ferries running to Saint-Malo.
Portsmouth is Britain’s most successful municipal port. It is part of Portsmouth City Council, who have funded significant investment in the port’s infrastructure since 1976. The port’s annual surplus is used to invest in the city and fund other essential council services for the benefit of the people of Portsmouth.
See the Portsmouth International Port Statistics book of 2024 for detailed statistics
Continental Ferry Services
As of September 2026: Ferry Operator Destination Average Duration of Crossing FrequencyVessel Brittany Ferries Ouistreham (Caen), France 7hrs Up to three departures a day. Mont St Michel Guillaume de Normandie Brittany Ferries Cherbourg-Octeville, France 4hrs 45mins Irregular cruise ferry sailings (approximately 3 a week). Salamanca Galicia Brittany Ferries Le Havre, France 6hrs 30mins (10hrs 45 mins return) One departure per day (until October 2026) Commodore Clipper Brittany Ferries St Malo, France 8hrs 30mins Summer: One departure per dayWinter: One departure every other day. Saint Malo15hrs (via Guernsey)Once per week Islander Brittany Ferries Zierbena (Bilbao), Spain 32hrs Two departures a week. Galicia Brittany Ferries Santander, Spain 34hrs Two departures a week. Salamanca Brittany Ferries St Peter Port, Guernsey 7hrs 30mins to 10hrs,(dependent on tidal rotation) Six passenger and freight departures per week IslanderDFDS Seaways St Helier, Jersey 8hrs to 12hrs (dependent on tidal rotation) Six passenger and freight departures per week +Six freight only departures per week Stena Vinga (passenger and freight) Caesarea Trader (freight only)
Isle of Wight Ferry Services
Ferry services to the Isle of Wight, operated by Wightlink, also depart from Portsmouth from other terminals within the city, away from Portsmouth International Port. The car ferry, which sails to Fishbourne, uses a dedicated terminal based in Old Portsmouth. In addition, a passenger catamaran service sails from Portsmouth Harbour railway station to Ryde Pier.
Hovertravel also operate passenger hovercraft services from Southsea beach to Ryde.
Future developments In early 2019, it was announced that owners Portsmouth City Council had agreed to invest £33.7m to expand the Port. £18.7m would go towards developments within Portsmouth International Port. This would include levelling and extending Berth 2 so it could accommodate ships up to 255m in length, upgrading the passenger terminal to provide dedicated facilities for cruise passengers and replacing the 35 year-old passenger boarding tower. It is predicted that the improvements will lead to an increase in the number of cruise passengers at the Port from 50,000 to 150,000 in the coming years.
The remaining £15m will be invested in improving facilities at Portico (formerly MMD Shipping Services), who operate two commercial quays within the Port.
External links The Official Website of Portsmouth International Port. Wightlink Brittany Ferries Portsmouth Port Information
References