Condor – ‘We are the right ferry operator for islands’

Guernsey and Jersey’s governments put out a joint statement this week, confirming the islands were looking at a new long-term ferry operating agreement.

Currently Condor has a memorandum of understanding with Guernsey and an operating licence with Jersey, but that is due to end in March 2025.

Condor Ferries’ CEO John Napton responded to the governments’ announcement yesterday.

‘We have been informed that a procurement process is the required next step for the Government of Jersey to undertake, given we are in the run-off period before the end of the current operating agreement in March 2025,’ he said.

‘It is therefore logical that the States of Guernsey assesses its position with the existing memorandum of understanding at the same time.’

Condor and Commodore have offered services between the islands and France since the 1940s, before introducing UK routes in 1987.

‘We are confident that we will prove that we continue to be the right operator, with over 70 years’ experience, for the islands’ bespoke requirements,’ Mr Napton said.

Last month Mr Napton confirmed the company needed to overcome a 'temporary but challenging time'. He stated then that the company was confident they would be quickly resolved, although no details were given.

Nr Napton said yesterday that those issues had now been dealt with.

‘Before Christmas we said it was a temporary situation and our position since has improved significantly,’ he said.

‘It’s back to business as usual for us.’

At the same time Guernsey and Jersey’s government brought over the DFDS Finlandia Seaways freight ship to conduct berthing trials in both islanders as part of contingency planning.