JERSEY’S government has agreed to provide 200,000 euros of funding to the Manche Iles Express as part of a wider deal to ensure the French ferry firm continues to operate in the Channel Islands next year after rising costs put the “viability of the service at risk”.
A total of 370,000 euros is being given to Manche Iles from Channel Islands’ administrations, with Guernsey’s government committing 167,000 euros while the Sark Chief Pleas is putting up 3,000 euros.
The deal aims to secure a timetable similar to 2024, when over 400 trips were made.
The support is “conditional” on the service “operating as intended in 2025”, the government said.
In a joint statement, the three island administration’s said: “The request for financial support by the Departmental Council of La Manche (DCLM) was made in response to increased operating costs which put the viability of the service at risk.”
It is estimated that the DCLM has committed over 20 million euros to the service, according to the statement.
The statement also revealed that the DCLM would be seeking additional funding from Carteret, Diélette and Granville, French ports which Manche Iles operates from.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said Islanders had “benefited from the passenger services offered by Manche Iles Express for two decades”.
He argued that it “continues to provide a valuable service”.
Deputy Morel said: “It is important we therefore support the service in the short term while working together on a longer-term solution.”
Guernsey Chief Minister Lyndon Trott said that losing the service would be a “significant loss” to the Bailiwicks.
“With our cultural connections to Normandy, and the attraction of the likes of the Maison de Victor Hugo, Guernsey offers an excellent destination for summer French visitors wishing to come to and experience what the Islands have to offer.”
He added: “We look forward to working with DLCM to develop the service beyond 2025.”
