The U.K.’s Ferry Operator of the Year 2006, Brittany Ferries, has purchased the Incat-built 321 ft. fast ferry Normandie Express in what it says should be taken as an indication of its intention to maintain its English Channel ferry service between the ports of Cherbourg and Portsmouth. Assisted by the broking firms Incat Europe Ltd and London-based Mason Shipbrokers, High Speed Catamarans BV has sold the ferry in a $39.51m deal. Introduced on bareboat charter in 2005, the Normandie Express provides a fast ferry crossing to Cherbourg and Caen from Portsmouth operating from mid-March until mid-November. With crossing times of only 180 minutes to Cherbourg and 225 minutes to Caen…