Both governments announced the start of a procurement process for a new long-term freight and passenger contract on Tuesday morning.
Both governments have stressed that the freight and passenger market is “contestable”, with Jersey’s Economic Development Minister, Deputy Kirsten Morel, going as far to say: “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.”
Condor have now been informed of the move and its CEO, John Napton has released the following statement: “We have been informed that a procurement process is the required next step for the Government of Jersey to undertake, given we are in the run-off period before the end of the current Operating Agreement in March 2025.
“It is therefore logical that the States of Guernsey assesses its position with the existing Memorandum of Understanding at the same time.
“We are confident that we will prove that we continue to be the right operator, with over 70 years’ experience, for the islands’ bespoke requirements.”
It comes after the islands jointly commissioned a “resilience test” with a cargo ship that undertook berthing trials in St Peter Port and St Helier.
Pictured: Jersey and Guernsey’s governments jointly commissioned berthing trials of the 163-metre long DFDS Finlandia Seaways in December.
Condor has an operating agreement with Jersey and a Memorandum of Understanding with Guernsey, with Jersey’s agreement having been in a wind-down phase for the past several years.
The first stage of a procurement process for a new long-term agreement involves market testing and “comprehensive discussions” between the two islands.
“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,” Deputy Morel said.
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