States offer cash for inter-island ferry

Wednesday 27 September 2017

A new inter-island ferry service could be launched next year - with some initial funding supplied by the States.

The States of Jersey and Guernsey have jointly asked companies who might want to sail the route to get in touch. The plan is to run the service between May and September each year, offering day trips for residents and tourists.

It's planned to be a passenger only service, and both governments are saying they will put some cash on the table to get it started, if the operator meets the following criteria:

1. to enhance inter-island connectivity, the aim being to provide a day return service from each island;
2. to deliver additional passenger numbers to both islands, resulting in increased economic impact due to additional spending, provide an improved offer for ‘island hopping’ for visitors, and improve social, cultural and sporting links between the two islands.

Senator Lyndon Farnham, Minster for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture in Jersey said: “I am keen to improve inter-island passenger links as they are vital not only for developing both islands’ economies but to maintain and expand social, cultural and sporting links. A dedicated ferry service between the islands is an important component of this improvement.”

Condor currently offers a ferry service between the islands, but not as a regular day-trip. 

Pictured: the Condor Liberation which currently sails between the islands, and to the UK

No more detail on exactly what's planned has been released at the moment, but expressions of interest for the service can be submitted here.