AN ANNOUNCEMENT on the future of Jersey’s passenger and freight ferry services will be made on Monday, the government has confirmed – after Guernsey revealed it had decided to finalise an agreement with Condor’s majority shareholder.
Jersey ministers have been locked in eleventh-hour talks on whether Danish shipping giant DFDS or rival bidder Brittany Ferries, which owns incumbent operator Condor, will provide ferry services to Islanders for the next 15 years.
The selection process was placed under pressure on Wednesday after Guernsey revealed it did not want to wait any longer – and had decided to appoint Brittany Ferries as its preferred bidder.
Final contract negotiations are now taking place, with the expectation that a formal agreement will be reached this month.
“Guernsey’s preference remains a shared pan-Channel Island service with Jersey, but we await word from our Jersey partners,” the island’s economic committee said in a statement.
Jersey’s Council of Ministers met this afternoon, resulting in “positive discussions on our lifeline ferry services”.
“The questions asked of the operators were in the best interests of Jersey’s public and were on crucial elements of operator ownership, financial viability, and future investment in vessels.
“We have sought answers to these questions throughout the process and the Council of Ministers is pleased to have received some clarity over the past 24 hours to validate the concerns of the [Economic Development Minister],” the government said in a statement.
“We are now considering the answers and will make a further announcement on Monday.”
