Jersey to initiate new ferry operator selection process next week

The economic development minister has confirmed that a new procedure to select the company responsible for operating Jersey’s sea connections for the upcoming 15 years will commence next week. Deputy Kirsten Morel had faced scrutiny regarding the failure of the joint tender process with Guernsey, particularly after Guernsey disclosed Brittany Ferries as its favored operator. Morel informed the States Assembly that a proposal submitted by DFDS was unsuccessful due to a “technical, legal” issue, whereas Condor’s proposal did not meet the requirements in two mandatory scoring categories. He stated that the revised process would be expedited, with a final decision anticipated by the conclusion of the current month. He indicated that ministers had informally, yet with a substantial majority, voted to “abandon the previous process” and move forward with “a new rapid process” for selecting a Jersey ferry operator. The economic development minister remarked that DFDS’s submission was “clearly the better of the two, promising more fleet investment more quickly and a more stable corporation”. Nevertheless, he noted that it was rejected due to a “technical, legal point”. He stated, “One that I couldn’t personally fathom because the legal element was still to be negotiated but which I accepted.” Morel mentioned that it became apparent the other contender in the selection process was Condor, not Brittany Ferries. Condor’s parent company is Brittany Ferries. Morel expressed that he harbored “concerns about their financial situation”. He elaborated, “This was also because Condor Ferries continued to fail in the Jersey scoring, both on a binary yes-no point on the age of their fleet, and their financial situation.” He further stated that their assessment of Condor’s business plan identified growth projections that were considered improbable to be realized, as they appeared excessively optimistic considering the company’s significant debt. Following Morel’s address in the States, backbencher Deputy Philip Ozouf commented: “If the contract is with Condor ferries, I would be concerned.” Morel disclosed that the chief minister had sought clarification from the CEO of Brittany Ferries regarding whether any prospective agreement would involve Brittany Ferries or Condor Ferries. Morel stated: “The CEO of Brittany Ferries has confirmed that any agreement would be signed by Condor Ferries only as the operating company and not with Brittany Ferries as the parent company.” Nevertheless, as a new selection process is set to commence next week, Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham remained uncertain whether a potential new contract would be concluded with Brittany Ferries or Condor. Farnham remarked: “I think we need to sit down with Britanny Ferries and ask them at this stage, under the new approach whether they still intend to stick with Condor as their operating company or whether they would be prepared for us to deal directly with Britanny, those are conversations we need to have.” In a statement, the chief minister declared: “The government has invited Brittany Ferries and DFDS to clarify their proposals for a ferry service. We will then recommend a prefered operator.”