President Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said that discussions were ongoing to make sure that any schedule changes, expected from November, made as part of the ferry company’s restructuring would work for Guernsey.
Plans include a new daily triangular rotation to be undertaken by the Islander – the island’s ‘slow boat’ – to include a new Guernsey to Cherbourg leg on its way back to Portsmouth.
However, the existing 4am arrival into Guernsey from Portsmouth will be preserved, which is important for the island’s freight operations.
‘The opportunity presented through the wider consolidation of the Brittany Ferries network has the potential to be a step-change – providing Guernsey with a resilient, long-term daily connection via Cherbourg while maintaining the integrity of our existing Portsmouth supply chain, which remains critical to the Bailiwick,’ said Deputy Kazantseva-Miller.
She said the next stage of the process would include engaging with key stakeholders to ensure all operational, commercial and community considerations are fully understood before any final decision is made.
Alan Sillett, president of the Guernsey Hospitality Association, was optimistic about the changes, saying an extra sailing on the Islander to Guernsey should bring ‘a little more opportunity’.
‘Cherbourg should benefit more outbound travellers and residents by having another point of entry to France and for freight,’ he said.
‘We will have to wait and see what the sailing times are but hopefully the Cherbourg route will add not detract from inbound tourism.’
Brittany Ferries confirmed that the new crossing from Guernsey to Cherbourg would leave at 7am, arriving at 11.15am, before continuing on to Portsmouth, where it will arrive at 5.15pm.
Passengers travelling from Guernsey to Portsmouth will stay on board in Cherbourg and there will be no requirement to present passports.
Those travelling to Cherbourg will have the choice to return on the Voyager from St Malo or take the overnight service back via Portsmouth.
The current timetable allows islanders to travel direct to Portsmouth, leaving at 8.15am and arriving at 3.45pm.
The ‘fast boat’ service provided by the Voyager will not be affected by the changes, although passenger numbers from Poole to St Malo via Guernsey are expected to increase as a result of the consolidation of passenger traffic from routes that will be cancelled as part of the wider restructuring.
While the Clipper will be deployed on a new route for Brittany Ferries, it will remain the back-up vessel for Guernsey in case of disruption.
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