MORE French produce could hit supermarket shelves after Condor recently bought an additional conventional passenger and freight ship.
The ferry firm has confirmed it is seeking to develop its freight services with St Malo after purchasing the MV Straitsman – which the firm will use to to run an overnight passenger service both to and from the UK, in addition to Commodore Clipper. The new ship, which can carry 400 passengers, will also run services between Jersey, Guernsey and France.
Currently, a small amount of Carrefour products are available in Co-op stores and Condor has said that it has seen a significant increase in the amount of freight brought to the Island from France.
Condor chief executive John Napton said: ‘The larger fleet will help us enhance our offering to the Co-op and other commercial freight customers. It also builds on the 30% uplift in southern route freight business we experienced last year since the deployment of our high speed vessel, Condor Voyager, which has significantly improved the frequency of continental freight supply.
‘Our freight operation in France is well established so the extension of these services allows Island-based and continental businesses to send chilled and ambient items more often and also broadens the choice of products and materials available.’
Co-op chief executive Mark Cox added: ‘The extra ship acquired by Condor is a positive step. We welcome any opportunity to build on the successful introduction into our stores of French produce which is proving to be very popular with customers. We look forward to further discussions to understand the potential this vessel may provide.’
