ONE ferry operator serving the Channel Islands “makes more sense than two”, Brittany Ferries’ chief executive has said as the company confirmed its bid submission for the new Jersey-only tender.
Christophe Mathieu, who is also chief executive of incumbent Condor Ferries, said he believed his company could still offer the better solution for the islands.
The confirmation of their bid on Wednesday morning came as a new, independent process to decide the Island’s ferry provider got under way this week.
As States Members continue to debate the £1.2 million Budget, independent reviewers will be assessing the submitted bids from Danish shipping firm DFDS and Condor Ferries, the JEP understands.
The new tender process follows the collapse of the initial pan-island selection project earlier this year, when Guernsey revealed it did not want to wait any longer and decided to appoint Brittany Ferries as its preferred operator.
Confirming the ferry firm’s submission to the Jersey-only bid process, Mr Mathieu said: “We all recognise what has gone before and it has not been helpful or constructive, but I believe now is the time to look forward.
“We welcome the independence of the new process and trust those involved in it to make the right decision based on the merit of bids received.”
Mr Mathieu continued: “For our part, we have already shown our determination to hit the ground running.
“In Guernsey, schedules have now been agreed and bookings have opened for travel in 2025.
“However, the door is still open. Our ships are on stand-by, our schedules are ready and systems are go, for a joined-up approach that serves the needs of both islands.
“Everyone agrees that one operator serving mainland and intra-island services makes more sense than two.
“We will also do what we promise in our bid. With us there will be no volte face on things like minimum service levels or pricing, should an award be made in our favour.”
The operator also said that, while it “trusts in the independence of the new process”, it would continue to scrutinise it “carefully”, including discussions and questions in States Assembly meetings.
Mr Mathieu’s comments come less than 48 hours after Filip Werne Hermann, DFDS vice-president and head of the business unit for Channel and Baltics, said the operator would be “honoured” to operate the Island’s freight and passenger ferry services. The rival bidder also revealed to the JEP that a high-speed ferry and freight-only vessel form part of DFDS’s proposal for the new Jersey contract.
Mr Hermann added that there was a “good match and overlap with our existing operations and fleet”.
Yesterday he confirmed that the Danish firm had also submitted its bid. “We are confident that we can provide a reliable and efficient ferry service for the local communities in Jersey, and we are fully prepared and capable of taking over, should we be awarded the tender.”
