Once again, Jersey's Economic Development Minister has promised to announce the island's ferry operator 'within the next month' after Condor rejects the government's seven-month extension.
Deputy Kirsten Morel told the States Assembly Condor has rejected the offer to continue freight and passenger ferries in Jersey for seven months after its current operating agreement ends on 27 March 2025:
"As the members will know, we have ended our participation in the joint Channel Islands tender process and we are now moving to a new tender process for Jersey-only services.
"That process is ongoing, but in the meantime, it has to be said that Condor has confirmed that they will not be accepting the invitation to extend the current operating agreement beyond March next year.
"Condor will continue to sail under the current operating agreement until the end of March 2025."
Reacting immediately to that announcement in the Chamber, Deputy Inna Gardiner said: "This is the news, and we have clarity we do not have a seven-month extension with Condor Ferries.
"We have no ferry beyond March '25."
Condor's parent company Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries has confirmed to Channel 103 and Island FM that it has declined the government's request to extend its contract.
When asked about the contract, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham told the States one of the 'key aspects of leadership is centred around decision-making'.
"This is a hugely important decision.
"I neither favour Brittany Ferries or DFDS, they're both reliable and reputable, both capable, in my opinion, of serving the islands.
"We've heard from the Sustainable Economic Development Minister that there are more details to go into around financing, around competition, freight rates, logistics, timetables, diplomatic relationships with our neighbours in Guernsey, in France, logistical issues depending on when one service is to stop and one is to start.
"We will, without fail, make a decision."
Condor Ferries
Jersey's Economic Development Minister says the government will announce an operator by the end of December 2024:
"We'd expect the chosen operator to begin sailings immediately thereafter to allow islanders and visitors to begin booking for the 2025 season and beyond.
"We do expect to get both tickets on sale and the ability for tour operators to sell tickets within the next month."
Islanders have been hearing since September that a ferry operator would be announced 'within the next month'.
READ: CI Ferry tender 'on schedule' - August 2024
READ: Ferry operator announced 'in October' - September 2024
READ: Ferry operator announcement could be delayed - October 2024
Condor Ferries
Deputy Kirsten Morel also gave this update about the Jersey-only contract:
"There are a number of areas where the new contract will differ from the current one.
"The new contract will have some teeth, the current contract does not really have any ability to keep the operator in line with their commitments, in terms of penalising in order to ensure they remain operating within the operator agreement.
"The contract also asks for things such as a flat rate card for freight services so we can have proper competition in freight services, the contract also ensures that there is investment in a new decarbonised fleet, that's really, very, very important."
Guernsey announced on 30 October that it has chosen Brittany Ferries, the majority-owner of Condor Ferries, to continue operating its services after next spring.
A contract is expected to be finalised by 15 November, enabling the company to publish its schedules shortly afterwards.
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