Ferry instability concern for commercial users
COMMERCIAL users of the island’s sea links told the boss of Condor and Brittany Ferries of their concerns about the ferry tender process and the prospects of the island running its own link with the UK without Jersey.
Christophe Mathieu, CEO of both ferry firms, came to the island yesterday, and said that he was ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the Government of Jersey’s latest bid to try to get his company back into a tender process.
He said that the group had not even been told directly of Jersey’s proposal to allow it to run summer schedules for seven months beyond its current operating contract.
He attended a meeting at Sir Charles Frossard House with commercial users, many of whom said that they were worried about Jersey’s next move, and also the growing prospect of a Guernsey-only service from next year.
If they were worried, Mr Mathieu appeared exasperated.
‘Over the past nine months, Brittany Ferries has invested considerable resources in the process, providing extensive information to assist Jersey’s government in reaching a decision. We firmly believe that this is comprehensive and sufficient for concluding the existing process,’ he said in a statement.
‘We have not yet received any formal notification from Jersey’s government regarding these developments so are seeking clarification on the extension request, along with precise details of the new Jersey-only tender.
‘Brittany Ferries has also written to both governments asking for further clarification on key aspects of the current process as a matter of urgency.’
The meeting yesterday included representatives from retail, tourism and freight. Among them, on video link, was Coop CEO Mark Cox. He said the thought of separate ferry providers ‘gives us cause for concern’.
‘The lifeline routes are so vital. We were hoping that by now the tender would have been re-negotiated and at reduced cost.
‘In this instability it is difficult to plan as we don’t know freight costs.
‘We can’t complete refurbishment plans because we can’t plan to move fittings and equipment, everything is up in the air.’
‘There are serious questions to be asked about how, after 10 months of work, we are no nearer a conclusion. Business is built on cooperation, to see the islands going in different directions cannot be good for any relationships going forward.’
‘It’s difficult to comment not knowing what Jersey issues are. We have various excuses from Jersey for the delay and we are now having financial stability brought up? How have we got to this stage where we cannot award a contract?’
He welcomed the chance to take part in a meeting, and said that Jersey had offered nothing similar.
The Guernsey Press approached Deputy Morel through its government communications unit yesterday, but received no response.
He spoke at a major agricultural conference in Jersey yesterday where a Q&A session turned into a ferry inquest.
Deputy Morel was reported as saying: ‘It’s easier to give into pressure than it is to stand up and say no, and that I want what is right for Jersey.’
Also present at the users meeting was Tourism Management Board chairwoman Hannah Beacom.
‘I feel more reassured about what a single-island operation would look like, and heartened to learn that there is a viable option, ‘she said.
However she was concerned about inter-island services.
‘We would still prefer a dual option. In tourism we want to work more closely with Jersey and want more connectivity not less. Brittany Ferries knows this is an issue and absolutely understand there needs to be a better solution.’
