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Minister seeks "assurance" from Condor on service to March 2025

Minister seeks

Thursday 03 October 2024

Minister seeks "assurance" from Condor on service to March 2025

Thursday 03 October 2024


Jersey's Economic Development Minister has sought "assurance" from Condor on service continuity to the end of its current agreement in the event that the longstanding operator doesn't win the contract for the Channel Islands’ passenger and freight ferry services.

Deputy Kirsten Morel said he expected Condor and its stakeholders to have made "adequate provision for continuity of services" through to March next year should its "contractual relationship" with the island come to an end.

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. 

Condor.jpg

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."

Deputy_Kirsten_Morel.jpg

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.

Christophe Mathieu, the CEO of Brittany Ferries and Condor, told Express: "We have been in communication with Deputy Kirsten Morel regarding our current operating agreement and remain committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders on the continued delivery of services."

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