Guernsey Finalizes 15-Year Ferry Service Contract with Brittany Ferries

The States of Guernsey has announced the signing of a 15-year agreement with Brittany Ferries for the provision of the island’s ferry services. Under this contract, Brittany Ferries will operate ferry routes connecting Guernsey with the UK and France until 2024, in addition to offering certain services to Jersey. According to Neil Inder, President of the Committee for Economic Development, Guernsey has not allocated public funds to subsidize the service, as Brittany Ferries considers the routes to be commercially viable. Inder stated that the new agreement achieves the “right balance” between enabling Brittany Ferries to generate revenue and “providing the lifeline services that we need”. A spokesperson for the States confirmed that the company is “providing a full financial and operational guarantee over the services in the contract”. Brittany Ferries was selected by Guernsey as its preferred bidder in October, pending the conclusion of commercial negotiations. Brittany Ferries serves as the parent company of Condor, the current operator. The company announced that Condor will undergo a rebranding to become Brittany Ferries Channel Islands. Separately, Jersey designated Danish firm DFDS as its preferred bidder for its ferry routes on Tuesday, concluding Condor’s 60-year association with Jersey.