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Planning for a potential inter-island ferry service is being hindered by a "reluctance to firm up arrangements" according to the owner of the private business offering to run it.
Islands Unlimited wants to provide daily high-speed ferry services between Guernsey and Jersey.
But, the owner is expressing frustration over a lack of government support.
Despite offering a solution to improve inter-island connectivity, lacking in both Guernsey and Jersey's preferred bidders for wider ferry services, Chad Murray says that Islands Unlimited has faced reluctance from certain government bodies.
The company believes that a daily service would benefit both residents and tourists, stimulating the economy and enhancing the overall experience of visiting the Channel Islands. It has engaged with both the States of Guernsey and the States of Jersey for over six months, but Mr Murray says that progress has been slow.
Islands Unlimited is said to be ready to launch the service, potentially as early as next spring, but that’s all subject to receiving the necessary support from the two island’s governments, said Mr Murray.
Pictured: Chad Murray was Guernsey's Harbourmaster for 5 years. Between 2013 and 2018.
The company argues that the recent ferry tender process has created uncertainty and delays, impacting their ability to secure suitable vessels and finalise their business plan.
Islands Unlimited remains hopeful that with increased government support, it can implement its proposed service, which would include daily connections between Guernsey and Jersey, as well as additional routes to Sark and Alderney, added Mr Murray - an experienced mariner who has worked for Condor Ferries, Guernsey Ports, and private maritime businesses.
“We accept that the recent ferry tender process has occupied a lot of government’s time but this has now been resolved, with the exception of inter- island travel," he said. "We offered a solution back in May and this offer remains on the table.
“The landscape has changed with the delays caused by the tender process and that 2 operators are now planning to service Guernsey and Jersey independently. This has caused us to re-evaluate our business plan due to reduced availability of suitable vessels as well as the uncertainty the whole situation has given to investors. We now need further positive engagement with government to provide the comfort that they are behind us and endorse our operation.”
The service on offer from Islands Unlimited includes 464 return sailings between the Channel Islands from mid-May through to the end of October.
If focused on day trip capacity alone, an additional 50,750 day-trips inward to each Bailiwick could be available, creating a potential revenue of £17.7m over a 5-year period, for both Bailiwicks said Mr Murray.
Pictured: Guernsey went with Brittany Ferries, which now owns Condor, while Jersey went with DFDS.
Deputy Neil Inder signed the ro-ro ramp licence contract with Condor Ferries, now owned by Brittany Ferries, earlier this month.
Guernsey's Economic Development President said it offered the best deal for Guernsey, with increased frequency of services to and from France.
There is only one service a week to and from Jersey under that timetable though.
Last week, Deputy Inder told a Scrutiny hearing that talks are ongoing with counterparts in Jersey about providing inter-island services.
He had hoped to "have a solution" by the end of January, with the new ferry contract due to take effect in March.
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