Jersey and Guernsey are paying €700,000 a month for back-up Dunkirk ferries

It's been confirmed that Jersey and Guernsey's governments are paying a combined €700,000 a month for two ferries to sit in Dunkirk on standby.

The contingency plan was set up by politicians from both islands after Condor experienced financial difficulties at the end of 2023. 

There were concerns the company, which will be operating in Guernsey waters for another 15 years, was going into administration.

READ MORE: Guernsey 'pushes ahead alone' and names Brittany Ferries as preferred sea link operator

At the time, it was reported that Condor, who are now majority owned by Brittany Ferries, had approached both Channel Island governments for financial help. 

Jersey's Economic Development Minister, Kirsten Morel, has clarified the contingency plan:

"It's true that we have had contingency since January. Both islands are paying for that so its a freight- only contingency.

"But obviously the islands depend on lifeline freight services for our goods, our medicines, our good for our shops.

"We have two vessels that we have on charter and on standby and for good reason.

"I believe the actual cost between both islands is up to €700,000 (£587,000) a month rather than £1 million (which was reported elsewhere), but still a very large amount of money the islands are having to pay for contingency."

Kirsten Morel

It was confirmed today (1 November) that Jersey are yet to make a decision on which ferryboat service will operate in Jersey water from the end of next March.

Meetings were held today between the Council of Ministers and the remaining potential operators - thought to be Condor and DFDS.

A statement from the ministers reads: 'The questions asked of the operators were in the best interests of Jersey’s public and were on crucial elements of operator ownership, financial viability, and future investment in vessels.'

Answers to these questions are now being considered with a further announcement due to be made on Monday.

Kirsten Morel has confirmed this future statement might not be a decision as to which operator has been chosen. 

The Minister did not confirm a new timeframe for when this decision will be made.

READ MORE: Condor calls out 'unacceptable delay' in Channel Island tender process

The Minister did confirm though that he was taking measures to ensure islanders would not have to foot the bill for contingency in the future: 

"My concern is that I don't want the islands to be in any situation where we have to undertake these sorts of arrangements in the future, regardless of who undertakes the services.

"So it is about making sure that Jersey gets ferry services that we can rely on for the full 15 years of the contract. It's absolutely vital."