Guernsey Press

Goodwill’s engine problems cause food supply disruption

FOOD supplies have been disrupted after Condor’s Commodore Goodwill was taken out of service.

Published
The Commodore Goodwill in dry dock in Falmouth for routine maintenance. Soon after returning to service a problem developed with the starboard engine and she is in Southampton awaiting repair. (Picture by Peter Lynas)

It developed engine problems on its approach to Jersey on Tuesday, spending two hours offshore before being helped in by a tug and pilot ship.

She returned to the UK.

‘Checks on Commodore Goodwill’s starboard engine turbocharger have identified more extensive damage than first known,’ a Condor spokesman said.

‘Goodwill is currently alongside in Southampton where there is berth availability in order for the repairs to be effected.

‘Commodore Clipper is being prioritised for freight shipments and this process is in place with our freight teams in consultation with our customers.’

The Channel Islands Co-Op’s chief operating officer, Mark Cox, said the disruption had added additional costs across the supply chain.

‘It has affected our ability to bring products into the island on time – both ambient and refrigerated food.

‘We’re expecting a 24-hour delay with deliveries which has increased our costs across the supply chain because logistics teams are working additional hours, store workers are doing additional hours and products with short date lives aren’t able to be sold when they were supposed to so it’s increasing wastage as well.’

A spokesman for Waitrose said they were working hard to ensure stock levels were maintained for customers. However, in the meantime they were waiting for an update from Condor to establish if contingency plans were required.

Full story in today's Guernsey Press