Little Ferry Company retains the contract for Alderney

It announced on social media it had won the contract to continue its service, telling customers it could not wait to see everyone again and be able to provide a Bailiwick bubble link between the two islands.

Bruno Kay-Mouat, managing director of Alderney Shipping, which runs The Little Ferry Company, said it was ecstatic to have been given the contract.

‘We’re really pleased we won it again for the fourth time after being given it in 2018, 2019 and 2020,’ he said.

‘It shows people’s confidence in us as a company, it’s the greatest form of feedback to know that what we’re providing and what we’re offering to provide is exactly what people want and are happy for us to continue.

‘The States of Alderney also seem to be pleased that we provide a great service.’

The service runs with the financial support of the States of Alderney and is a one-year contract with an option to extend that annually for a further two.

Representatives in Alderney had said Alderney’s States were uncertain whether a service could be arranged for this year.

There were concerns the company’s, often full, 12-seater Spike Islander, which has operated the route for the last three years, was not big enough to provide a continuous service in bad weather due to its size.

This is something Mr Kay-Moat has said was being looked at.

He thanked customers for their patience while it has been waiting for the outcome of the tender process, which is said to have seen six applications at the initial stage.

Its service, usually twice daily, will begin operating from the end of May, ready for the Alderney Arts Festival and half-term, through to the end of September.

Bookings will be possible when the system is up and running – within the week.