The boss of Brittany Ferries says he is excited for the launch of the company's new contract for Guernsey services on Friday (28 March) but also disappointed over staff cuts.
As BBC News Guernsey reports, the Channel Islands, for 60 years, had a joint ferry operator for the island and Jersey, serving the UK and France. The operator was Condor Ferries, which last year saw parent company Brittany Ferries take over the Guernsey-based fast-craft, ferry, and freight firm.
However, a difference of approach between the islands’ governments erupted when Guernsey went alone to continue working with Brittany Ferries by awarding the ferry contract, which led Jersey to choose DFDS Ferry with its own tendering process. Brittany Ferries is to run Guernsey services for the next 15 years, whereas DFDS is to provide Jersey operations but for a longer timeframe of 20 years.
Brittany Ferries Chief Executive Christophe Mathieu said, "We've had a lot of encouraging bookings for Guernsey. However, there is still extreme disappointment for the people that have consequently had to leave Condor, and it is very sad the way it ended up."
Condor's previous contracts with both islands ended on Thursday.
More here on the new ferry era, including proposals by Brittany Ferries to sell two of its inherited ferries, from its involvement with Condor that began in 2019.
