Ferry decision welcomed but questions continue

A Jersey deputy says "lessons needed to be learnt" about the process that led to the island picking DFDS to run its ferry services.

Deputy Kirsten Morel, the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, said the Danish ferry firm offered "higher frequency services, greater investment and a green and decarbonised fleet".

But, Deputy Montfort Tadier, who heads up a scrutiny panel, said "lessons needed to be learnt" about how the tender process had been carried out and expressed concerns about future joint tenders between Guernsey and Jersey.

Morel confirmed passenger and freight ferries would continue to run between Jersey and Portsmouth, Poole and St Malo, as would the inter-island services.

He said Brittany Ferries were contractually obliged to serve the next three months until its contract ended.

"In the event they don't, we have strong contingency services awaiting and they are ready and, within 48 hours notice, able to serve the island," he added.

Tadier, who leads the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, said he was pleased a decision had been made but that it should have been made months ago.

He said: "It should have also been for a joint Channel Islands ferry operator, not just for one serving our island.

"We need to understand, in due course, what happened during that first tender process, and why it didn't succeed.

"Lessons need to be learnt if we're ever to enter into a joint tender for anything in the future," he added.

Robert Mackenzie, managing director of the CI Travel Group, said he thought it was "the right decision".

He said: "I think DFDS is a very professional, reputable, extremely large freight and logistics company."

However, Mr Mackenzie said he was concerned about the future of Guernsey's ferry service.

He said: "I think for Guernsey there are bigger questions.

"We know Guernsey's only about 30%, one third, of the business of the combined two islands, the two Bailiwicks, so for Brittany Ferries to have lost 70% of their business does raise questions over their ability to operate the service they've said they will.

"I think we may not have entirely seen the end of that particular saga," he added.

Brittany Ferries, which owns Condor Ferries, has declined to comment.

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