The Commodore Clipper, which is able to travel in rougher seas than the fast ferries, went into dry dock for scheduled work to upgrade its emissions system last month.
However, Condor announced on Wednesday that supply problems prevented the parts, known as marine scrubbers, from being fitted in time and the ferry will be taken out of service again between 4 November and 14 December.
The Commodore Goodwill – a freight-only conventional ferry – is currently in dry dock for the same works – but will instead be taken out of service again next year to undergo the upgrade.
During both periods a charter freight vessel will be used, and the Liberation fast ferry is to operate additional sailings.
Condor made the announcement as it published its fleet maintenance programme showing when ships are due to undergo essential yearly, or, in the case of the conventional ferries, biennial maintenance.
And for the first time it has also revealed detailed contingency plans to show how the service will be maintained when ships are undergoing routine maintenance or during periods when vessels are unexpectedly suspended from use.
The publication of the plans follow a difficult period for Condor Ferries, which received criticism this summer after repeated disruption to the sailing schedule and concerns over the new ship, the Liberation.
However, last week an independent report found that the vessel was safe, stable and suited to the waters of the English Channel.
Captain Fran Collins said it was hoped that publishing the company’s long-term maintenance schedule and contingency plans would build confidence in the service and allow people to plan their travel more effectively.
She added: ‘We are obviously extremely disappointed that the scrubbers, which are required to meet new EU regulations on sulphur emissions, could not be fitted as planned during our conventional ferries’ routine dry dock periods. We appointed world-leading professional firms to project-manage the overall program of works and supply the specialist materials and key components. However, these are major, complex engineering installations unique to each ship.
‘We have worked hard with our suppliers, and with the agreement of the States of Jersey and Guernsey, to reschedule the installation for the Clipper at a time when passenger numbers are relatively low, and which will allow her to be back in service before families and friends start travelling for Christmas.
‘We have chartered MV Arrow for an additional five weeks to ensure we maintain a seamless freight supply. I’d like to apologise to our customers for the inconvenience which the additional dock may cause. Our customer service team is already contacting customers who were booked to travel on Clipper in November and early December.
‘They will be offered a refund or alternative travel and, to help minimise the disruption, we will be running extra sailings of Condor Liberation on Wednesdays during this period.’
Under the general contingency plans, if the Liberation is unexpectedly out of service for one to two weeks while the Clipper is also in dry dock, the Rapide would be drafted in to provide cover.
