Condor unveils winter schedule amid tender bid

Sunday 07 July 2024

Condor has unveiled its winter schedule and is also inviting passengers to pre-book for next summer as it looks to beat a Danish shipping firm to secure the contract for Jersey and Guernsey's passenger and freight services.

The incumbent operator has announced plans for "a more resilient service" to St Malo, among other changes.

The firm, which has served the islands for decades, is competing against Danish shipping giant DFDS to secure the tender to provide the service from March next year.

Condor says that passengers can pre-register for free for next summer here and will be contacted by the firm to finalise their bookings “once confirmation is received that the tender has been secured”.

The operator has also released its winter schedule, during which there will be no fast-ferry services to St Malo from 10 January to 10 February.

The route will instead be operated by the conventional passenger and freight ship Commodore Clipper, with crossing times of between two and two-and-a-half hours.

Clipper and Condor Islander will also sail to and from the UK, with overnight services in both directions.

"We can demonstrate we are the right operator"

Christophe Mathieu, Condor’s interim CEO, said that Clipper's St Malo sailings meant "a more resilient service" and "excellent timings for those planning a weekend away in winter".

“The overnight conventional sailings to and from Portsmouth have also proved to be popular so these will continue through to next March."

Condor CEO Christophe Mathieu said the operator was "finalising" its tender bid.

Mr Mathieu continued: "This is our last winter schedule before the current agreement ends on Thursday 27 March so passengers can pre-register interest in sailings for next summer through our website. The timetable will be similar to this year and we are offering this option to minimise any bother or inconvenience."

He added: “We are currently finalising our tender and believe we can demonstrate we are the right operator, with the right ships and also the right experience to continue servicing Jersey and Guernsey into the future.”