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Condor's majority owner has confirmed its hat is also in the ring for the new Jersey-only ferry tender after agreeing its schedules with Guernsey – stating that "the door is still open" for the operator to provide a joined-up service to both islands.
Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu said that "one operator serving mainland and intra-island services makes more sense than two".
The result of the Jersey-only tender process to decide the winner of the new 15-year contract is expected by the first week of December.
This followed the collapse of the initial pan-island selection process earlier this year, when Guernsey revealed it did not want to wait any longer and decided to appoint Brittany Ferries as its preferred operator.
Confirming the ferry firm's submission to the Jersey-only ferry bid process – as it looks to beat Danish shipping giant DFDS for the island's future freight and passenger services – Mr Mathieu said: "We all recognise what has gone before and it has not been helpful or constructive, but I believe now is the time to look forward.
"We welcome the independence of the new process and trust those involved in it to make the right decision based on the merit of bids received."
Pictured: Christophe Mathieu is the CEO of Condor and its majority owner Brittany Ferries.
Mr Mathieu continued: "For our part, we have already shown our determination to hit the ground running.
"In Guernsey, schedules have now been agreed and books have opened for travel in 2025.
"However, the door is still open. Our ships are on stand-by, our schedules are ready and systems are go, for a joined-up approach that serves the needs of both islands.
"Everyone agrees that one operator serving mainland and intra-island services makes more sense than two.
“We will also do what we promise in our bid. With us there will be no volte face on things like minimum service levels or pricing, should an award be made in our favour.”
The operator also said that, while it "trusts in the independence of the new process", it would continue to scrutinise it "carefully", including discussions and questions in States Assembly meetings.
Pictured: Brittany Ferries has argued that "one operator serving mainland and intra-island services makes more sense than two".
“There is a famous old proverb, that was popular in the 20th Century at times of détente: trust, but verify. This is a truism we will continue to apply to the new process,” Mr Mathieu added.
His comments come less than 48 hours after DFDS BU Channel and Baltics vice-president Filip Werne Hermann said the operator would be "honoured" to operate the island's freight and passenger ferry services.
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