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Jersey's government received "additional legal advice" regarding ferry contract

Jersey's government received

Monday 04 November 2024

Jersey's government received "additional legal advice" regarding ferry contract

Monday 04 November 2024


Jersey's government has received legal advice regarding the future of the island's ferry services – but says a final decision will not be made today.

Jersey's Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said that the "complications created by the situation we find ourselves in are extensive", and confirmed that a "further announcement" is due tomorrow.

In a statement published late this afternoon, Deputy Morel explained: “There have been further positive discussions today concerning our lifeline ferry services.

“We are considering the legal, commercial, and financial implications of the bids, including additional legal advice received today.”

This comes almost one week after Guernsey announced it had chosen Brittany Ferries as its preference in the tender process. 

DFDSCondor-2.jpg

Pictured: The competition is between incumbent Condor – which is now majority owned by Brittany Ferries – and Danish operator DFDS.

Deputy Morel added: “I understand the frustration of islanders that a decision has not yet been made, but the complications created by the situation we find ourselves in are extensive and we need to ensure we have all the information to make the correct decision.

“A further announcement will be made tomorrow [Tuesday 5 November].”

DFDS and Brittany Ferries, the parent company of Condor, are vying for the contract to provide lifeline sea links to Jersey and Guernsey.

Guernsey – which jointly purchased a new ferry with Condor and loaned the company £26m to prevent an undisclosed "potential emergency" occurring last year – unilaterally announced last Wednesday that it had taken the decision to "push ahead alone" with Brittany Ferries.

But Jersey's Government said it had "further questions" for the two frontrunners and held urgent meetings last Thursday to gain more detailed information relating to their financial stability.

Islander_and_voyager.jpg

Pictured: The States of Guernsey helped fund Condor's purchase of the Islander.

In a confidential memo to Jersey's States Members leaked to Express, Deputy Morel said Jersey needed "to be satisfied that the company that delivers them is financially sustainable and able to invest in a new decarbonised fleet, without placing excessive risk on the people of Jersey".

On Friday, a carefully-worded statement from Jersey's Government revealed that "concerns" which saw Jersey stop short of endorsing Brittany Ferries as the Channel Islands' new key ferry provider alongside Guernsey were "validated" after an emergency meeting where more financial information was shared.

On the same day, backbench politicians called for the Minister to arrange a special States Meeting so that the public can have greater "transparency". 

The current agreement with Condor runs out at the end of March.

It is not yet clear publicly if Jersey’s hands have been tied by the Guernsey decision, and whether sailings to and from the islands would only be viable with one operator serving both Jersey and Guernsey, north and south.

READ MORE...

“Brittany Ferries had the boats” - slim margins helped decide the ferry contract

Ferry contract: Jersey “not willing to place risk on taxpayers” as it seeks answers from bidders

Ferry contract: Why Guernsey has picked Brittany Ferries

Guernsey selects Brittany Ferries for ferry contract as Jersey holds out for more talks

Guernsey and Jersey to have "equal say" in ferry contract discussions

Winning Channel Islands tender “fundamental” to Condor's future

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