The Jersey Competition and Regulatory Authority (JCRA) concluded that the lack of physical space at the ports was limiting competition and may also lead to inefficiency in existing providers’ operations.
Given how “heavily reliant” the island is on freight, the watchdog said there were “risks” in the fact the island has only one ‘roll on, roll off’ (RoRo) operator, one dominant freight logistics provider and mostly looks to the UK market.
It noted, however, that “’lift on lift off’ (LoLo) is widely used in Jersey and does offer an alternative to RoRo, and there could be opportunities for greater trade with France.”
To help with this, the JCRA has made seven key recommendations:
- That Ports of Jersey to review the use of facilities and leasing arrangements at the port of St. Helier.
- Government/DVS to review traffic/accessibility issues on Jersey to create temporary and targeted ‘freight corridors’.
- Ports of Jersey to support initiatives to drive improvements in operational efficiency.
- Establish a Freight Trade Association, to drive efficiency and support innovation in the sector.
- The Government should develop a policy framework to support effective competition in the freight logistics sector, including a Ports Policy.
- The Ports of Jersey should ensure the Ports Masterplan will support effective competition in freight logistics sector.
- Government to support the development of existing and new freight routes to France.
“This market study has been thorough and inclusive, reflecting the lifeline status of the freight logistics sector in Jersey,” commented JCRA CEO Tim Ringsdore.
“The study posed a number of challenges, but we have effectively achieved our objective: to review the market in terms of competition and resilience.”
He added that the regulator would “support the implementation of the recommendations. We will also closely follow further policy developments in this area and seek updates on implementation of the recommendations.”
Video: JCRA CEO Tim Ringsdore speaks about the local freight market.
Thanking all those who contributed to the study, he added: “There has been robust, honest, and extremely valuable debate during the process and, as a result, I think we have built a clear picture of the market as it stands, and the opportunities that exist to improve what we have.”
In February, Condor announced it would be running five high-speed freight sailings per week from Saint Malo to Jersey from Aprilin a move the Co-op said paved the way for more French products on its shelves.
During the earlier stages of the pandemic, the ferry operator was provided with an emergency grant to maintain the island’s freight links.
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Five new freight sailings a week from France