More than six months after the islands parted ways over sea routes with the UK and France, there is only one sailing a week between the islands, operated by Brittany Ferries, although Guernsey-based Islands Unlimited is poised to start a foot passenger service next week.
Jersey has revealed that an operator is interested in the inter-island route.
It is keen, but the island’s Economic Development minister Kirsten Morel has claimed that Guernsey is not, sparking an angry reaction from his Guernsey counterpart, Deputy Neil Inder.
‘We want a proper inter-island solution,’ Deputy Morel told BBC Jersey in an interview this week.
He said both islands had been approached by potential operator FerryBridge – which appears to have no footprint as a ferry operator on the internet – which was interested in providing an inter-island passenger and freight service.
‘Jersey has said it’s absolutely willing to support that, we’ve not received positive responses from Guernsey,’ said Deputy Morel.
He said he was ‘slightly concerned’ that while Jersey was happy to accept a solution, it was ‘being pushed back elsewhere’ and he wondered why.
Deputy Inder said he was ‘incredulous that a minister in Jersey appears to have no ability to look in the rear-view mirror’.
‘I’ll remind the Jersey and Guernsey population that the only inter-island service that has come out of the joint tender is Brittany Ferries’ and its Wednesday schedule.’
Despite assurances from Deputy Morel that DFDS had been directed to provide an inter-island service, it had still not materialised.
It ran its first Jersey-Guernsey round trip on Saturday for the Muratti finals, cancelling two other services to accommodate the sailing.
Deputy Inder said he had received a letter from Deputy Morel about the FerryBridge offer.
‘I have already advised the people behind FerryBridge that it is too early in the new ferry arrangements and any ferry proposal seeking ramp access would at this time be incompatible with Guernsey’s current contractual, legal and ramp licensing arrangements, which differ from Jersey’s.’
Jersey should be well aware of the Guernsey situation and the States’ position, he said.
‘It doesn’t surprise me that he has taken to the media in the full knowledge that government business is normally conducted through letters and in confidence,’ said Deputy Inder. ‘A reply is being drafted by officers and legal advisers so that we can provide further information to Deputy Morel on Guernsey’s position.’
He said that Deputy Morel was ‘not for the first time’ apparently trying to deflect attention to Guernsey.
‘But the facts clearly demonstrate our willingness to find solutions for inter-island travel, with our commitment to Brittany Ferries, Manche-Iles Express and Islands Unlimited.’
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