Business criticises 'farcical' ferry contract delay

The Government of Jersey has offered Condor Ferries an extension to its current contract

Business leaders have criticised the delay in deciding on a new ferry contract for the Channel Islands.

The States of Guernsey confirmed Brittany Ferries as its preferred bidder on 30 October, but Jersey's government has not yet made its decision.

Simon De La Rue, from the Little Big Brew craft brewery in Guernsey and part of the Guernsey Tourism Partnership, said it was "farcical" and "doesn't bring certainty to the following season".

Condor's parent company, Brittany Ferries, said it was "surprised and disappointed" by Jersey government's offer of a seven-month extension to its contract.

Mark Cox said the financial information about the companies in the tender process should have been available before now

Jersey's government said one reason for the delay was it needed to make sure the next operator was expected to be financially stable for the next 15 years.

Mark Cox, the chief executive of the Channel Islands Coop, said if Condor accepted the extension, it would offer "some certainty" for the supermarket chain.

He said: "In entering any tender process, you would always look at that financial stability, and what are you looking for from an output point of view and can those people that are adopting the tender deliver those outputs?

"And if they can't, then they shouldn't be in the tender process.

"That finance information should have been available well before now."

'Extension is so short'

Mr De La Rue said he would be surprised if Brittany Ferries accepted the Condor extension.

"It doesn't bring certainty to the following season, given that the offer of a seven-month extension is so short," he told BBC Radio Guernsey.

He said: "We really need to be looking at building our inter-island connectivity with Jersey, that will help out the tourism sectors of both islands.

"A healthy tourism sector in Jersey is a positive thing for Guernsey."

Mr De La Rue added: "It's relatively farcical that you can go through an eight-month tender process and then ask for a seven-month extension.

"I don't see why you should be doing that with a ferry contract that affects the lives of 200,000 plus people."

Robert Mackenzie said the tourism element was not being given "quite the same attention and focus" as freight

Robert Cornelius, from the Guernsey Motor Trade Association, said: "I think businesses that rely on getting goods from the UK to the islands just need to see a reliable, consistent, regular service.

"But we also understand, because we're businesses, that there's a cost involved with that, and things have to be viable."

Robert Mackenzie, managing director of CI Travel Group, said the government still valued other parts of the economy more than tourism.

He said: "This contract is really more about freight and about providing lifeline services to the island in terms of food delivery and other supplies.

"The visitor passenger side of it, while important, is not being given quite the same attention and focus."

Deputy Karen Wilson said questions would be asked in the States Assembly next week

Deputy Karen Wilson, a member of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, said: "We are intending to make sure that in the Assembly next week there will be questions asked about what has gone on.

"But one of the most important things at the moment is that we have got to make sure that whatever happens through this next couple of weeks, and by the end of December, that we do have a decision that is in the interest of Jersey."

Previously, Deputy Kirsten Morel, who is overseeing the tender process for Jersey, asked islanders to "please trust me".

He said: "I am in a difficult position. I need to find financially resilient ferry services for our island.

"That financial resilience is all about being able to invest in a new fleet and being able to continue for the 15 years of the contract."

Guernsey's Committee for Economic Development said it would evaluate the Guernsey-only approach on Brittany Ferries and would finalise a contract in the next 10 days.

Brittany Ferries chief executive, Christophe Matthieu, said the firm had provided enough information for the government to make a decision on the 15-year contract.