Islander to start work early

Friday 22 September 2023

Condor's new passenger and freight ship - bought with a multi-million loan from Guernsey's bond - is to come into service three weeks earlier than planned, meaning it will be sailing over the usually busy October half-term.

The Condor Islander will start passenger sailings from Portsmouth to Guernsey and Jersey on Sunday 15 October, offering an overnight crossing six days per week.

The vessel will run a freight-only service the previous week, from 8 October – three weeks ahead of the originally planned 1 November launch date.

John Napton, Condor’s Chief Executive, said: "After running successful berthing trials in the islands and Portsmouth last month, it has been full steam ahead to complete the interior refurbishment in the UK and I am confident we can introduce the vessel earlier than planned.

"We are pleased with the progress made so we can begin before the October half term holiday, traditionally a very busy travel period to and from the Islands. Our winter schedule, which runs through to the end of March, will offer increased connectivity, capacity and resilience compared with last year."

Pictured: The Condor Islander has been bought by the ferry firm and the States of Guernsey.

The former MV Straitsman left New Zealand in mid-April to sail across the Atlantic Ocean to its new role as part of the Condor fleet serving the Channel Islands.

Now rebranded as the Condor Islander, it previously served the Cook Strait for more than a decade after entering service in 2010.

The vessel was bought by Condor Ferries and the States of Guernsey following a deal being made earlier this year.

The Policy and Resources Committee loaned Condor £26million to bolster £6million in joint equity from the States and Condor to buy the ferry.

It was originally meant to be bought through the Guernsey Investment Fund (GIF) but after that deal fell through the Civil Contingencies Authority was convened to expediate an alternative funding agreement. The CCA was required because there was a potential critical risk to the island’s supply chain if the deal wasn’t completed.