The UK's second busiest ferry port, Portsmouth International Port and Channel Islands operator Condor Ferries have agreed a new long-term deal, which cements their partnership until 2033.

Portsmouth is a critical shipping route for the Channel Islands’ trade with calls to St. Peter Port, Guernsey and St. Helier, Jersey. With sailings 364 days per year, carrying predominantly freight, there are regular exports of cars, building materials, food and drink supplies, clothing and utilities.

In fact, 95% of everything consumed on the Channel Islands comes through Portsmouth. This long-term agreement provides certainty for this vital freight and passenger service.

Condor’s ships, Commodore Clipper and Commodore Goodwill, are much-loved regular visitors to the port. They will soon be joined by Condor Islander, another conventional passenger and freight vessel that will help provide even more capacity and resilience, ensuring essential freight can continue to flow to businesses and residents based on the Channel Islands.

Ian Palacio, business development manager at Portsmouth International Port said: “I’m delighted that we’ve signed this 10 year agreement with one of our longest standing customers. We are proud to play our part in providing these essential lifeline ferry service to the Channel Islands.

“With the port’s excellent location right next to the UK’s motorway network, we look forward to working closely with Condor Ferries to continue to boost trade and tourism between the UK and the Channel Islands.”

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth City Council‘s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the port added: “We have a long-standing bond with the Channel Islands here in Portsmouth, so I’m pleased to see that this relationship is on a firm footing for the future with this new deal.”

Condor has over 75 years’ experience operating services. Its mixed fleet of conventional and high speed ships carry hundreds of thousands of passengers, 200,000 freight vehicles and 65,000 trailers each year between the UK, Guernsey, Jersey and the French ports of St Malo and Cherbourg. See Afloat's related coverage of Brittany Ferries seasonal fast-craft English Channel services.

John Napton, Condor’s CEO, said: “We are naturally very pleased to conclude this agreement as it secures Condor’s priority services to the Islands from Portsmouth for the foreseeable future.”

#FerryNews - The ferry industry in the UK according to a recent report is gearing up for growth with more than £1 billion pounds worth of new investments planned in the next four years. 

Portsmouth International Port has long realised that investing in new facilities is key to maintaining its position as the UK’s second busiest ferry port which celebrated a 40th anniversary two years ago. The latest multi-million pound transformation will be unveiled next month when a new upgraded linkspan draw bridge is put into position.

The £9 million double decked linkspan is crucial to smooth and efficient ferry operations, used for getting vehicles on and off of vessels. A tightly choreographed operation to install and commission it at Berth 4 will follow a three day sea crossing from Deest in Holland where it was manufactured.

The improvements at Portsmouth's ferryport contribute to unprecedented national investments. New figures from Discover Ferries, the group representing the UK ferry industry, collate an impressive range of new ships and port facilities due to benefit passengers in the near future.

Emma Batchelor, Director of Discover Ferries, which released the investment statistics, said the figures reflected the sustained popularity of ferry travel. “More than 39 million passenger journeys are made by ferry to UK islands, the Isle of Man and Ireland, France, Spain and Holland,” she said “and those sustained numbers are enabling ferry operators to invest with confidence in new ships and new routes.

"Ferry travel today is transformed compared to a decade ago and enjoys a loyal following of travelers who value comfort and space. In the next four years the scale of this investment will see another step change in service for travellers.” added Emma.

In 2019 passengers travelling Portsmouth-Caen will experience the latest generation of ferry as Brittany Ferries introduce a new cruiseferry into service. As previously reported on Afloat, the newbuild to be named Honfluer is been built by FSG in Germany. 

Honfluer represents an investment of £175 million and will deliver a relaxing and comfortable crossing for passengers, on the most environmentally ferry operating in the English Channel. The cruiseferry will be powered by Liquid Natural Gas, significantly reducing pollution.