JERSEY’S ferry links are to be bolstered through Brittany Ferries becoming “far more involved” with the Channel Islands – including using one of its passenger ships when needed – according to the company’s chief executive.
Christophe Mathieu, who recently replaced John Napton as Condor’s chief executive on an interim basis, also said Islanders would soon benefit from combined ticket offers between the two companies – and that Condor would be returning to its more frequent pre-Covid sailing schedule.
Brittany Ferries are a shareholder in Condor.
He made the comments one day after Barfleur – a 157-metre Brittany Ferries passenger ship – successfully completed a berthing trial in Elizabeth Harbour.
The vessel is capable of carrying up to 900 passengers and 590 cars and is larger than any of the conventional and high-speed craft in Condor’s fleet.
Mr Mathieu said: “We [Brittany Ferries] are getting far more involved in Condor and, therefore, as part of this involvement – and also for the good of the Island and for the good of Condor – we needed to have this exercise.
“Unfortunately, we cannot think of a future where we would operate all year round [from Jersey] with a ship like Barfleur.
“It’s more for winter coverage or dry-dock coverage, or if there is a problem with one of Condor’s existing vessels; at least we know we can step in very quickly with Barfleur. But the port facility does not allow for a permanent Barfleur service.”
Commenting on why the company had chosen to conduct the trial now, he continued: “We’ve decided – and that’s why I’ve stepped in as interim CEO of Condor – that Brittany Ferries, we want to get far more involved in the business of the Channel Islands with Condor.”
He added: “We’re moving in and we are taking a far more integrated [approach]. We’re looking at Condor now as part of Brittany Ferries’ operations.”
Mr Mathieu said he did “not know yet” what this new approach might mean for the long-term future of the Condor brand.
He noted that discussions were still ongoing with Jersey and Guernsey regarding their search for a new operating agreement for freight and passenger ferry services, with Condor’s current agreement due to end next year.
“We are expecting both islands to publish a tender and we are, of course, determined to answer and win the tender,” he continued.
As part of Brittany Ferries’ increased involvement with Condor, Mr Mathieu said Islanders would “soon” be able to take advantage of combined tickets offers between the two companies.
“So, if you live in the Island and you go to the UK or to France [with Condor] – and you want to connect to Ireland or to Spain [with Brittany Ferries] – we will make it an offer with combined tickets,” he explained.
He also revealed that Condor would be returning to its pre-Covid sailing schedule.
The changes, which will take effect in May, will see more of the high-speed sailings from Poole reverting to morning departures – as well greater frequency of sailings between Jersey, Guernsey and St Malo.
Freight customers will also see a return to early-morning and late-afternoon arrivals into the islands, which the ferry company has said is “to support the existing supply chain”.
