Size of Jersey's harbour hampers ferry purchase
PLANS for Condor Ferries to buy another conventional ferry are being hampered because there are only three suitable vessels in the world which would fit in Jersey’s harbour – and none are for sale.
Earlier this year John Napton, the company’s chief executive, said he hoped a passenger and freight ferry, running overnight crossings from the UK, would be in operation before the winter.
The vessel would have complemented the service provided by Commodore Clipper, which runs night-time crossings north.
Mr Napton has confirmed that talks have been held with the owners of the ships, but none were on the market.
‘We are still looking,’ he said. ‘It’s what we want and I believe it is what the islands want. But it’s not like buying a second-hand car. You don’t just go to a showroom and pick one out.
‘The limitations of Jersey’s port are such that there are only a certain number of options available.
‘I am in talks with the owners of the ships that would work for us and as soon as one is available, then we will make a decision. But realistically there are three in the whole world that would be suitable and would fit in Jersey’s port.
‘Every port is restricted by length, so I am not having a go at Jersey, but Jersey is the smallest [port served by Condor], so anything above 135m and we are struggling.
‘Most ropax generally start at 145-150m and the average is about 180m, so that is the restriction.’
Mr Napton said he understood the cost of extending the island’s port would be prohibitive.
He added that the company would expect that such a vessel would cost between £15m. and £20m. and said that talks with Guernsey about part-financing the deal were still live.
