Brittany Ferries’ changes to its schedules offer Guernsey “a unique opportunity” to build “more resilient and sustainable trade links with France and the continent”, according to the States.
The Committee for Economic Development said it has been in talks with the ferry firm about the planned changes – which will see the Islander sail a new triangular route including Cherbourg from next year.
The freight and passenger ship currently sails a regular route between Portsmouth, Guernsey and St Malo, but Cherbourg will replace the Brittany port in the future.
The Voyager will continue sailing between Poole, Guernsey, and St Malo – with ED predicting passenger numbers on this ‘fast’ service will increase once the St Malo ‘slow boat’ service ends.
The new triangular route including Cherbourg is part of wider changes the ferry firm is making, which includes job cuts expected in France and the sale of two ships.
A spokesperson for the States said ED has been “closely involved in order to ensure any new timetable works for both Guernsey and Brittany Ferries” and that “importantly, the new rotation will preserve the existing 04:00 arrival time into Guernsey from Portsmouth, which has provided stable and predictable pattern for the island’s freight service since the beginning of the Brittany Ferries service last year”.
The new plans under consideration would also increase the freight frequency to a daily service, up from six days a week.
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said the new rotation will help Guernsey building on its trade links with France and the continent, and will give passengers a different option for travelling to and from the continent.
“One of the Committee’s key priorities this term is to strengthen Guernsey’s trade, tourism, political and cultural connections with France,” she said. “Since taking office a year ago, we have been making good progress towards that objective.
“The opportunity presented through the wider consolidation of the Brittany Ferries network has the potential to be a step-change – providing Guernsey with a resilient, long-term daily connection via Cherbourg while maintaining the integrity of our existing Portsmouth supply chain, which remains critical to the Bailiwick.
“While these proposals remain under consideration, the Committee believes it is important to be open and transparent with the community about the in principle discussions that are taking place. As part of the next stage of the process, we are engaging with key stakeholders to ensure that all operational, commercial and community considerations are fully understood before any final decision is made.”
