MV Mistral set for trial in the Channel Islands

A trial could take place on 9 or 10 October, weather permitting

Danish ferry firm DFDS is set to trial another ship in the Channel Islands.

The MV Mistral has been chartered by the company until the end of 2024 and is set to come to the islands next week.

A trial could take place on either 9 or 10 of October, according to the company.

At 153m (500ft) the ship is shorter than the first freight vessel trialled by DFDS in the Channel Islands, the Finlandia and 10m (33ft) longer than the Seven Sisters, which successful completed berthing trials on Thursday.

The MV Mistral was built in 1999.

DFDS is one of three companies which have been shortlisted by the governments of the Channel Islands to run ferry operations for the next 15 years.

Condor Ferries, which is the current operator, and Irish Ferries are the other two companies that have been shortlisted for the contract.

Jersey's Minister for Economic Development Kirsten Morel said the announcement of who had secured the contract would be made in October.

The MV Arrow has been a frequent visitor to ports in the Channel Islands in the last decade

As part of contingency planning by both islands' governments, MV Arrow - a freight ship that has previously been used to serve the islands - is also expected to come to the Channel Islands next week.

The BBC asked the States of Guernsey in a Freedom of Information request how much has been spent on contingency planning for the island's sealinks, but it refused to answer the question.