Legal advice sought as ferry firm wait continues

Deputy Kirsten Morel said a further announcement would be made on Tuesday

The Government of Jersey has received extra legal advice in its efforts to make a decision on which ferry operator to select.

The Channel Islands were expected to announce whether they had chosen Brittany Ferries or DFDS for ferry services together, but Guernsey announced it had chosen Brittany Ferries on 30 October.

Deputy Kirsten Morel, Jersey's Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, said: "The complications created by the situation we find ourselves in are extensive."

He said a further announcement would be made on Tuesday, but the chair of the economic scrutiny panel, Deputy Montfort Tadier, called for a special meeting of the States Assembly "to bring some transparency to the process".

Deputy Montfort Tadier called for a special meeting of the States Assembly

Morel said he "understood the frustration of islanders that a decision has not yet been made" but "positive discussions" had taken place on Monday.

He said: "We are considering the legal, commercial, and financial implications of the bids, including additional legal advice received today."

Tadier said: "I think the public need to have confidence, and I think without information about how the decisions are being made, why we are at this impasse at the moment, it would seem, between the islands not agreeing, I think information needs to be put in the public domain, and that can only be done by the minister, and that's why our panel is calling for a States debate."

'High prices'

He said the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel "was ready to play its part as necessary".

"It is also clear to the panel that whatever the outcome of the tender process, formal retrospective scrutiny is required," he added.

Maritime expert Alf Baird said he believed there would be high prices whichever ferry company was chosen.

He said: "I'm not sure that either of the bids received are optimal because both represent quite high cost structures, a mix of conventional ships and high-speed tonnage.

"Both probably mean a continuation of high costs, which means high prices for island users - freight and passengers - so I don't see much changing here whoever is decided to be selected."