Ferry contract should be announced in September

Condor Ferries currently operates freight and passengers services between the islands, the UK and France

The successful bid to run ferry services in the Channel Islands from next year should be announced by the end of September.

The tender process officially opened on Tuesday and closes on 8 July.

It is anticipated that the successful company will hold the contract for 15 years, with an extension for a further five years available.

The tender document notes that supply chain resilience is a key priority for the governments of Guernsey and Jersey with more than 95% of the islands’ goods delivered by sea.

DFDS trialled berthing a ship in Jersey in December

The overwhelming majority of that arrives via services operated by Condor Ferries, which currently operates the routes to the islands.

In Jersey its contract ends on 27 March 2025, while in Guernsey a memorandum of understanding with the company expires on 31 December.

Other companies, including as Danish firm DFDS, have expressed an interest in bidding for the route.

In the tender the governments of Jersey and Guernsey have outlined the need for resilience requirements and ongoing investment in the fleet.

Reliability is a key concern for islanders and was the main one raised when DFDS held meetings in both islands.

Travelling by sea is a key method of travel for many islanders, with long-term trends showing passenger demand increasing.

Bidders are required to provide financial information to support their tenders.

The document also notes that it would be imperative to enhance the efficiency, reliability and safety of the ferry service to meet the growing demands for goods and services in the islands.