“NOT a good look” was the terse admission from Jersey’s Economic Development Minister in the aftermath of an evening that exposed deep divisions between the Channel Islands over future provision of ferry services.
Deputy Kirsten Morel was responding after Guernsey’s unilateral announcement that Brittany Ferries was its preferred bidder for the new contract.
With ministers in Jersey yet to reach a decision between Brittany Ferries, the parent company of current provider Condor, and Danish bidder DFDS, the pan-island collaboration over the tender process had run aground.
Speaking to local media late last night, Deputy Morel said: “It’s not a good look, but it’s the way it is – we are two separate jurisdictions and at times we have separate ways of looking at things.
“This has been a good process in terms of working together, but when you sit and analyse the information Jersey didn’t feel it was in position to award the contract right now.”
Deputy Morel indicated that he expected Jersey’s decision on its preferred bidder to be confirmed within days, and admitted there was a possibility of making an alternative choice to Guernsey, leaving separate arrangements for the two islands – something he described as “an interesting scenario”.
“We have looked at the full 15 years [of the new contract as originally envisaged] and the risks involved and decided that we don’t have all the information,” he said, adding that he believed the government’s current stance was “absolutely the right decision” for Jersey and Jersey taxpayers.
At 6.30pm yesterday, it was announced that Guernsey’s Committee for Economic Development had unanimously selected Brittany Ferries to “provide certainty for island residents and businesses”.
The full statement from Guernsey’s government said the appointment was “subject to further negotiations on some elements of the contract” and came after “careful and thorough consideration of all bids”.
It added: “The committee’s view was that Brittany Ferries were able to provide full assurance that they had access to a suitable fleet and would be able to begin operations immediately and seamlessly, with the summer schedule ready to be published shortly.
“This means that Brittany Ferries will provide the island’s lifeline sea links, freight services and passenger services, using its management and infrastructure as well as deploying Condor’s current fleet.”
Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries, issued a statement later in the evening welcoming Guernsey’s decision.
He said: “As we have maintained from the beginning, we have the right ships, the right schedule and experience to support the Bailiwick in the long term.
“We also look forward to the Government of Jersey joining us in this initiative – with over 70 years of providing freight and passenger services to Guernsey and Jersey, collaborating will allow us to optimise the schedule for the benefit of both islands.”
