Ferry link has to bring in new business

Boosting the number of day trips between Jersey and Guernsey should help with both ailing visitor numbers and the strength of sporting and cultural links.

It could also be a significant economic boost for both islands.

While it might seem that this topic has been somewhere near the top of the Channel Island political agenda for far too long, time is tight if the inter-island project is to be up and running by the beginning of May.

With the tender launched in mid-December the nine companies who expressed an interest had just a few weeks to prove to themselves and the States that they could run a viable service.

Identifying the right vessels and finding staff will be hard enough, but it also has to make financial sense for both sides. While the two governments are willing to underwrite the costs that does not make it a free pass. It is now a five-year commitment for the successful operator.

Condor is in a more complicated position than most. It had the advantage of being involved in the failed negotiations last year and presumably was further ahead with its planning.

However, it wanted a deal done by the end of November. The tender process has made it difficult to keep the two ships on hold with no guarantee of success.

There will be people in both Jersey and Guernsey who will shed few tears at their decision. The bruising period of adjustment as the Condor fleet was cut down by a ship and the Liberation came on board will take time to heal.

For them a new operator in the market will be welcomed if islanders are to get a better deal in terms of both price and flexibility.

However, there is a danger that, by splintering the market, sea travel will become like air routes where everyone struggles to make a profit.

For this to work, the successful operator must generate new business, not just move customers away from the incumbent.