THE governments of Jersey and Guernsey are encouraging ferry firms to apply to provide passenger and freight services to the Channel Islands.
In the first stage of a move to establish a long-term operating agreement, the islands are carrying out “market-testing” and appealing to Condor, and other established operators, to formally bid for the contract.
Condor currently has an operating agreement with Jersey which ends in 2025 but only a memorandum of understanding with Guernsey.
The long-term plan is to create a formal operating agreement between both islands and a ferry firm.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, said: “The reason that we are going through this process is to ensure that we secure the best possible freight and passenger services for the Channel Islands.
“Condor has an operating agreement with Jersey, and a memorandum of understanding with Guernsey to provide our sea connectivity: 98% of goods consumed in Jersey arrive by sea, so every Islander and every Island business is reliant on these services.
“We are in the winding down period of the current operating agreement, which ends in 2025.
“This is, therefore, the right time to look at what all operators in the market believe they can deliver in terms of resilience, reliability, passenger experience and sustainability.
“This procurement is an open and competitive process, and we strongly encourage interest and engagement from all ferry operator parties within this initial market testing phase.”
Deputy Neil Inder, president of Guernsey’s Committee for Economic Development, said it was important that both islands worked together.
“We are starting this process now in order to make sure it’s completed in good time for when the current agreement comes to an end.
“We will welcome competitive submissions from prospective operators, including of course the current and long-standing operator, Condor.
“The priority is of course ensuring the best possible freight and passenger services for the Channel Islands market are secured.
“Deputy Morel and I are fully committed to working together through this process, and securing the best outcomes we can get for the Channel Islands as a whole.”
