Condor Ferries CEO blames difficulties on new ship

The Condor Islander, which was purchased in partnership with Guernsey's States, will be used mainly on weekends as a "top-up"

Condor Ferries CEO has admitted the lack of use of its newest ship led to financial difficulties last year.

Christophe Mathieu, who is also CEO of Brittany Ferries, said buying the Islander was a "worthwhile exercise but hasn't delivered".

Brittany Ferries has loaned Condor Ferries £10m to "top up the company" and cover unpaid port fees, according to Mr Mathieu.

He said the company was committed to the islands and "isn't going anywhere".

Christophe Mathieu said Condor Ferries was looking to provide more integration for customers when it came to fares

The company is set to revert its schedules to how they were before the Covid pandemic to "reduce inconsistency", Mr Mathieu said.

It will mean one fast ferry is based in Poole to service the UK-Channel Islands routes and the other will be based in St Malo, going to the Channel Islands.

The Condor Islander, which was purchased in partnership with Guernsey's States, will now do the routes currently serviced by the Clipper as part of changes to the company's schedule.

The States of Guernsey and Condor invested £3m in the boat and the States also lent the ferry company £26m, which is due to be paid back over a decade.

Resilience plan

When asked whether Brittany Ferries branding could start being used on Condor Ferries vessels, Mr Mathieu said "maybe".

"We've not taken a decision on that, it's still early days. We want to convince the islands that we are the solution and the brand will come as a secondary question - the answer for now is we will be putting forward these new schedules for a successful season."

He announced the company was looking to provide more integration for customers when it came to fares, allowing people to travel on the same ticket from the Channel Islands to the UK and onwards to places like Ireland with Brittany Ferries.

"We want to offer those combined tickets which will provide a better deal than doing them on their own," Mr Mathieu said.

Earlier this week Brittany Ferries trialled the Barfleur in St Helier's harbour. 

Tender process

Mr Mathieu said this was part of a resilience plan and he was not planning to use the boat regularly in the Channel Islands.

He did admit that in early 2025 the ship may be used to cover some sailings, if it was needed.

"It's a possibility that we schedule the Barfleur to cover dry dock when a ship is in for maintenance."

At the moment the States of Guernsey has a memorandum of understanding with Condor Ferries to run the island's ferry services, while the States of Jersey has a contract with the company until 2025.

Guernsey's Economic Development Committee President Neil Inder told deputies last week a tender process to find the next ferry operator for the islands would be launched in April.

Mr Mathieu said: "We are going to focus on this tender to convince everybody that we are the solution for the islands."