Company Proposes Inter-Island Ferry Services, Seeks Government Backing

A company based in Guernsey has requested government assistance to initiate an inter-island ferry operation. Islands Unlimited has stated its readiness to operate a vessel capable of carrying 200 passengers between Guernsey and Jersey starting in May of the upcoming year. This development follows the decision by the governments of Jersey and Guernsey to independently select distinct ferry operators to manage their respective sea connections for the forthcoming 15-year period. As of the end of March next year, only a single weekly inter-island service is scheduled under Guernsey’s agreement with Brittany Ferries. Meanwhile, DFDS, Jersey’s chosen operator, has indicated that its schedule will be released by the close of the current week. In a media release, the business expressed that the outlook for inter-island sea links in 2025 appeared “bleak.” Chad Murray, the operations director for Islands Unlimited, noted that the company initially proposed providing inter-island ferry services in May. He asserted that such services would deliver “economic and social benefits” to the islands and are consistent with various governmental strategies. “At the time, this was met with some reluctance from certain areas. However, we remain ready and waiting to mobilise the vessel and publish our schedule, should we manage to get the right level of government support,” he further stated. Islands Unlimited indicated its intention to deploy a “200-passenger high speed catamaran,” which would facilitate daily connections between Guernsey and Jersey, alongside including services linking Jersey, Sark, and Alderney on specific days of the week. Mr. Murray additionally commented: “We accept that the recent ferry tender process has occupied a lot of government’s time but this has now been resolved, with the exception of inter-island travel. “We offered a solution back in May and this offer remains on the table.”