The incumbent operator is currently one of three major ferry firms reportedly in the running to secure the Channel Islands’ passenger and freight ferry services, with the winner expected to be announced this month.

Unlike Guernsey, which currently has a Memorandum of Understanding with Condor Ferries, Jersey holds a contract. 

Whichever firm wins the tender to operate the CI ferry services in the future will have a contract with both islands. 

Pictured: The outcome of the ferry contract procurement process is expected to be announced this month.

Danish shipping giant DFDS confirmed its intention to secure the contract in April, and is carrying out berthing trials in both St Helier and St Peter Port today.

It is understood that Irish Ferries has also submitted a bid.

During this week's sitting of Jersey's States Assembly, Deputy Montfort Tadier asked the island's Economic Development Minister what assurances he had sought or received from Condor "that existing bookings will be honoured or fully refunded in the eventuality that Condor are not awarded the Channel Islands passenger and freight operator contract and as a result, cease to operate".

Deputy Morel answered: "As the Assembly knows, we are in a procurement process at present. 

"However, should Condor's contractual relationship end next year, I fully expect the company and the stakeholders to have made adequate provision for continuity of services through to expiry of the operating agreement on 27 March 2025."

Pictured: Jersey's Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel has written to Condor seeking "assurance" on service continuity to March 2025.

The Minister continued: "I continue to seek adequate assurance on this point from the board of Condor and wrote to them recently on precisely this point.

"I do sincerely hope that Condor and its shareholders Brittany Ferries and Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund, will provide this assurance to me."

Deputy Morel said that he wrote to the ferry operator on 23 September.