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Brittany Ferries has said it is "both surprised and disappointed by this development" as Jersey says it will ask Condor to keep running local services for another seven months while it continues to deliberate over which ferry firm to give a new permanent contract to.
Guernsey has already said that Brittany Ferries is our preferred provider - and that we will go it alone to ensure our services are protected going forward.
Jersey seems to be no nearer making a decision though, with its Economic Development Minister yesterday asking people to "bear with" him and to "trust" him as he asks Condor Ferries to continue running Jersey's services for another seven months while working with Condor's parent company, Brittany Ferries, and DFDS to work out which provider will win the contract long term.
Deputy Kirsten Morel's said on Wednesday: "In the interests of the public, the hospitality industry, and to protect our economy, we have invited Condor Ferries to confirm a 7-month extension to the current Operating Agreement.
Pictured: Deputy Morel (file image).
"This will bring certainty by enabling Condor Ferries to publish its summer schedules.
"Following the breakdown of the joint Channel Islands tender process, we have invited both final bidders, DFDS and Brittany Ferries, to work with the Government of Jersey as we find the best solution for our long-term ferry services."
Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries, said this was news to him.
“Following media reports yesterday that the Government of Jersey plans to launch a new tender and has requested a short term extension of our current operating agreement, Brittany Ferries is both surprised and disappointed by this development," he said.
"Over the past nine months, Brittany Ferries has invested considerable resources in the process, providing extensive information to assist Jersey’s government in reaching a decision. We firmly believe that this is comprehensive and sufficient for concluding the existing process.
Pictured: Christophe Mahieu.
"We have not yet received any formal notification from Jersey’s government regarding these developments so are seeking clarification on the extension request, along with precise details of the new Jersey-only tender.
"Brittany Ferries has also written to both governments asking for further clarification on key aspects of the current process as a matter of urgency.”
Meanwhile, Guernsey's Economic Development President also seemed blindsided by Jersey's latest moves.
"We note Jersey’s announcement," said Deputy Neil Inder, as he stepped out from Guernsey's 2025 Budget debate on Wednesday evening.
"We will continue our discussions with Brittany Ferries and with the government of Jersey, follow developments closely and ultimately make sure that we continue to take steps that protect Guernsey services in the future, whatever the outcome in Jersey.
"As stated since making our decision, we hope Jersey joins us in a single solution but respect it is their decision to make.
Pictured: Deputy Neil Inder.
"I would also take this opportunity to clarify that Guernsey’s position is that the joint tender process did not break down. Joint scoring was closed by both islands prior to the Committee for Economic Development making its decision."
An under-pressure Deputy Kirsten Morel, Jersey's ED Minister took to the stage for the Jersey Farming Conference at La Mare Wine Estate yesterday, to speak about Government support for the agricultural sector – but he ended his time at the lectern by apologising to the room for the “meandering” tender process Ministers have been "pushed into".
He was grilled over the process of choosing a new ferry provider at the conference – saying he has been forced into a position where he is being asked to sign off on an operator "I don't believe provides the resilience that we're asking for".
The Q&A session at the end of his speech quickly turned to the issue.
Forced to elaborate on what is currently going on behind closed ministerial doors, Deputy Morel said that Guernsey's shock announcement meant Jersey had been put in a "very, very difficult position".
He added: "It's difficult for me to be open about what I say, and that's principally for the legal ramifications which I have a team of lawyers behind me telling me mostly what I cannot say."
With thinly-veiled barbs at Condor's apparently precarious financial position, he continued: "I will not sign Jersey up to anything except a financially resilient ferry service that can deliver 15 years of a contract and can deliver that without any risk of having to turn to the government of Jersey for help.
"I want a contract which clearly delivers new vessels over the course of that lifetime. In order to do that, there has to be that financial resilience. I've been put in the position where, effectively, I'm being asked to sign off on one which I don't believe provides the resilience that we're asking for. As a result, we've had to go through this rather meandering process, which has ended at the moment with having to end that joint process.
"I'm really, sorry about that. It genuinely was pulled out of my hands."
Pictured: There were many farmers at the conference yesterday morning, which was held at La Mare Wine Estate (David Ferguson).
Presenter Hannah Shellswell continued to press him on whether the confusion could have been avoided, because of the nine-year lead-up to choosing a new ferry provider.
Deputy Morel responded: "Knowing about something for nine years doesn't help if you're suddenly pushed into a particular position where I'm being told I have to go down a road, and I'm saying that that is not a safe road. I will not do that to Jersey. I will not take us down an unsafe path.
"It's easier to give into pressure than it is to stand up and say no, and that I want what is right for Jersey. That's what I'm standing firm on. I know that there are others. The Council of Ministers have seen what I see. They understand why I am doing this. They know this is not some fun just to get me on the front page of the paper or ripped apart on Facebook.
"There are really good reasons for what I'm doing, and all I can say to you is that I'm doing this to protect us and our island. That's why I'm doing it. Please bear with me. Please, trust me."
Deputy Morel was also asked whether a particular bidder for the freight links would provide benefits for farmers.
He said that this had been part of the tender process and "at least one of the bidders" had delivered on this commitment to farmers by providing a flat rate for exportation which would bring competition to the freight logistics market.
He said: "That would have been a huge leap forward for infrastructure that underpins this island, and would mean that farmers would have always known what they are paying to export goods to the UK."
Pictured top: (inset) Christophe Mahieu.
Jersey asks Condor to stay for seven more months while ferry decision talks continue
Guernsey to finalise "Guernsey-only" approach to ferry contract
Jersey received "additional legal advice" regarding ferry contract
Ferry contract: Why Guernsey has picked Brittany Ferries
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