Delay in awarding ferry contract blamed for drop in 2025 bookings

Brittany Ferries' vessel Bretagne took part in berthing trials earlier this year. Picture: JON GUEGAN. (39235729)

CONDOR and Brittany Ferries, alongside the Chamber of Commerce and Jersey Hospitality Association, have warned that “protracted delays” in awarding the Channel Islands’ ferry services contract are “detrimental” to the visitor economy – voicing fears that tourists will “go elsewhere”.

The operators have called for an “immediate resolution” to the tender process, which saw Jersey and Guernsey invite bids from qualified firms earlier this year.

Industry representatives have also warned that uncertainty over when the decision will be made has seen a drop in bookings for 2025.

Condor’s current agreement is due to end in March.

An announcement on who has won the contract was initially expected at the end of September, with Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel later revealing that officers would make “an objective, evidence-based recommendation” for final political approval this month.

Deputy Morel recently acknowledged that the process could be further delayed by “a matter of days”, after the Economy Department’s chief officer, Richard Corrigan, made an “inadvertent mistake” by indicating a preference for DFDS in a Facebook poll.

The Danish shipping giant is hoping to beat Condor to secure the contract.

Mr Corrigan has since stepped away from the selection process.

Condor and Brittany Ferries – now a majority shareholder in the incumbent operator – have raised concerns over “protracted delays”, warning that “the lack of a decision” is “detrimental to the islands’ visitor economies”.

Christophe Mathieu, the operators’ chief executive, said: “We fully recognise our role in boosting the visitor economy and ensuring travel options for Islanders, so this delay is hurting those we are trying to support and only adds to the uncertainty for the coming year.

“Had we been aware of this hold-up, we would have launched our 2025 summer schedule in mid-September to provide some reassurance for Islanders, visitors, those working in the local tourism industry, along with our staff and crew who are enduring a very unsettling time with understandable concerns around their future.”

Mr Mathieu continued: “To put this delay in context, 15% of anticipated passengers have already booked to travel with Brittany Ferries next summer. That’s because we were able to launch our schedules early, and to start taking reservations a couple of months ago.

“But for the islands, there have been no bookings and that is a direct consequence of delays and uncertainty in the tender process. We worry that those considering a holiday in these beautiful destinations will simply go elsewhere.”

Murray Norton, the chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce, said the organisation had initially expected an announcement to be made at “the very end of September”.

“We are hearing this will now possibly be November and consequently there has been a drop in 2025 bookings. Chamber has been consistently saying for over four months that it is not in the best interests of the Island for our tourism industry to be the collateral damage, due to any delays in this tender process,” he added.

Ana and Marcus Calvani, the co-chief executives of the Jersey Hospitality Association, stressed that “uncertainty and lack of confidence” surrounding the decision were “the last things our industry needs”.

“Delays in the tender process are having significant negative effects, particularly as we plan for 2025 – a year focused on strengthening inter-island and French connections, celebrating our 80th Liberation anniversary.

“While cargo transport is critical in this tender, connectivity for visitors and Islanders’ quality of life is equally vital. The current uncertainty is damaging. We hope for a swift, optimal decision for the Channel Islands so we can all refocus on growth once again,” they added.

Mr Mathieu said that Condor and Brittany Ferries had “complied with each and every deadline” and “provided additional information as required according to the bid process”.

Deputy Kirsten Morel said: “We recognise the importance of this decision to all Islanders, and we’re committed to securing a reliable and resilient ferry service for the next decade and beyond.

“We are making an extremely important and complex commercial decision, and we need to get it right. Detailed consideration is being given to the submitted bids and we will be making an announcement very soon. In the meantime, Condor has a service-level agreement with the Government of Jersey to continue to provide ferry services until the end of March 2025.”

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