THE battle to decide the future of the Channel Islands’ passenger and freight ferry services is heating up…
Irish Ferries is one of three major ferry operators to have put themselves forward to win the tender, the JEP understands.
And the procurement process, which saw Jersey and Guernsey invite bids from qualified firms earlier this year, remains “on schedule”, according to the government.
The incumbent, Condor Ferries, as well as Danish shipping giant DFDS, had both already confirmed their intentions to secure the contract – with the former’s current agreement due to end in 2025.
But the JEP has been told that Irish Ferries has also submitted a bid.
A spokesperson for the ferry company said it was “unable to provide comment”.
In a statement, the government said: “The competitive procurement process remains on schedule and is being managed jointly by the governments of Guernsey and Jersey.
“As this is a live process, it is not possible to comment other than to say that we’re in contact with the parties involved.”
DFDS vice-president Filip Werne Hermann attended an open meeting in the Island in April, where he told businesses and other stakeholders that his firm had a “huge fleet” which presented an “opportunity” for the Channel Islands.
However, Condor’s interim chief executive Christophe Mathieu has maintained the long-standing operator is “determined” to win the tender.
Mr Mathieu, who is also the chief executive of Brittany Ferries, recently confirmed the operator’s intention to become the majority owner of Condor, pending approval from the islands’ regulatory authorities.
The French ferry firm was already a shareholder in Condor, but Mr Mathieu has previously spoken of its plans to become “far more involved” with the Channel Islands.
His comments followed a berthing trial involving Barfleur – a 157-metre Brittany Ferries passenger ship – that successfully made its way into Elizabeth Harbour in March.
