A difference in approach between Jersey and Guernsey has erupted, as the neighbouring Channel Islands have “not reached a shared view” on the future of the key ferry contract.
As authorities on Guernsey have confirmed it intends to “push ahead alone” and enter negotiations with operator Brittany Ferries. As Afloat reported in September, the French firm became the majority shareholder of the Guernsey based Condor Ferries with a 51% controlling stake.
But Guernsey’s Committee for Economic Development said the island's Committee for Economic Development said they were seeking a deal that "leaves the door open for Jersey".
The largest of the Channel Islands, have run the joint ferry tender exercise for the last 10 months. In that timeframe, bids to run the contract from March next year were received from Brittany Ferries, Danish operator DFDS, and Dublin based ICG, parent company of Irish Ferries. However, of the trio, Brittany Ferries and DFDS are understood to remain in the running, having made the final shortlist.
Following the developments, urgent calls from both of the islands' Chambers of Commerce alongside Brittany Ferries arose on Tuesday, as Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development said it had unanimously selected Brittany Ferries, which owns Condor Ferries, so to "provide certainty for island residents and businesses.".
Baliwick Express has more on the ferry services contract linking the UK and France, which is to last for the next 15 years.
