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The Economic Development Minister has said the Condor Ferries schedule for December – which offers two passenger and vehicle ferry services to the UK each week – is "not satisfactory" and is "inconveniencing islanders".
In response to an urgent oral question from Deputy Monty Tadier in this morning's States Assembly sitting, Deputy Kirsten Morel confirmed that Condor's Clipper vessel is currently being used on an alternative route by Brittany Ferries – but said that he did not know what that route is.
Deputy Morel said that he hadn't been involved in any discussions about Condor’s decision to remove the Clipper service from the Jersey route.
.@DeputyTadier will ask the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, the following Urgent Oral Question:
— States Assembly - Jersey's elected parliament (@StatesAssembly) November 28, 2024
'Will the Minister advise whether there have been any discussions concerning Condor’s decision to remove the Clipper service in the weeks… pic.twitter.com/6uBqYBJKLd
He added that these changes were "absolutely not" linked to delays in awarding the tender for future ferry services.
But the Minister later clarified: “To my knowledge, these changes have nothing to do with the tender process.
“It may be that on the other party’s side, they have some thought in their head – I can’t speak for them.
“But from my perspective, I don’t believe this is anything to do with the tender process.”
Deputy Tadier pointed to the fact that there are only four passenger and vehicle ferries from Jersey to the UK between the 1 December and 15 December.
He asked: “Does the Minister think that this is first of all sufficient for the island in the run up to Christmas which can be a very busy period for people travelling, and secondly how does it fit in to Condor’s operating agreement that they have with either Government or Ports of Jersey?”
Pictured: Deputy Monty Tadier asked an urgent oral question about Condor’s decision to remove the Clipper service in the weeks preceding Christmas.
In response, Deputy Morel said that Condor's December schedule is "compliant" with the current operating agreement, which stipulates two passenger and vehicle ferry services to the UK per week at this time of year.
Deputy Tadier then asked if the Minister believes this is a "satisfactory arrangement".
Deputy Morel replied: “I don’t believe this current situation is satisfactory because it is inconveniencing islanders.”
He continued: “The reason, to the best of my understanding is not due to maintenance – which is understandable, you know, these things happen – this is due to a change of use of the vessel in question.
“[The Clipper] has been taken onto another route, so islanders are being inconvenienced to help – as the deputy put it – other routes and other countries.
“And that, to me, does not seem satisfactory.”
Pictured: Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel confirmed Condor's Clipper vessel is currently being used on an alternative route by Brittany Ferries.
In a statement released this afternoon, a Brittany Ferries’ and Condor Ferries’ spokesperson said: “Our cross-Channel capacity has been increased over the Christmas and New Year period to ensure it is more than sufficient to meet the seasonal demand.
“Condor Liberation resumes service on 19 December after her annual maintenance and will operate additional sailings from Poole. Commodore Goodwill and Condor Islander are also running six and seven days per week respectively to keep the Islands connected and supplied.”
They added: “We do not anticipate requiring the support of Commodore Clipper this winter, so following changes to our fleet plans, she will be on charter to Brittany Ferries. Passengers with existing bookings on Clipper are being accommodated on alternative Liberation and Islander departures.
“However, we have retained the option to recall Clipper to service in the Channel Islands if required, maintaining our fleet resilience. She will also operate to St Malo for five weeks during January and early February.”
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