CONDOR is still hoping to add an additional conventional ferry to its fleet to improve the ‘resilience and reliability’ of its service, the operator has said.
Earlier this year Guernsey’s Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache confirmed that his government was in negotiations with the firm to jointly buy a passenger and freight ferry to serve the Channel Islands.
In a separate interview with the JEP, Condor’s chief executive, John Napton, said he hoped the vessel would be in operation before the start of this winter.
It is understood that talks have remained ongoing but no formal agreement has yet been reached.
And in Guernsey’s States last week, Deputy Ferbrache confirmed that the States of Guernsey no longer had plans to own the ship, but that the funding could be provided through a separate government investment body.
After being asked to provide an update on the plans, Condor issued a statement from Mr Napton saying that the firm was ‘determined to invest in the island’s future’.
He said: ‘As we confirmed in January of this year, Condor and the States of Guernsey have been working on a joint venture with regard to a conventional passenger and freight vessel.
‘The potential acquisition of a ship would be mutually funded through an investment vehicle, with Condor operating the vessel as an addition to our existing fleet. We are determined to invest in the islands’ future by developing freight and passenger services and if a new ship can be acquired, it would improve resilience and reliability.’
Separately talks remain ongoing about formalising a long-term operating agreement between Condor and both island governments, as the firm currently only has a memorandum of understanding with Guernsey.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel is due to meet Deputy Ferbrache and Deputy Neil Inder, the president of Guernsey’s Economic Development Committee, tomorrow to discuss a range of issues, including ferry links.
He said: ‘While these are initial, exploratory discussions, my overall objective with regards to ferry links is to ensure that residents of both islands have reliable year-round sea transport, and all options for the delivery of that service are being explored.’
