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Trials and tribulations in the Channel Isles

[ October 23, 2024   //   ]

Normally, the mundane matter of vessel berthing trials are of interest only to shipping experts but a row has broken out in the Isle of Jersey.

Jersey and Guernsey are in the final stages of a competitive tender for a 15-year contract for the islands’ main ro ro links. However the Jersey government has been accused of impartiality because it has funded trials for DFDS but not those carried out by the other contenders, Irish Ferries and Brittany Ferries. The latter owns current incumbent operator Condor Ferries, whose contract is due to end on 27 March.

According to the Jersey Evening Post, Jersey’s Economy Department responded to a Freedom of Information request confirming that costs for the trials by DFDS’s Finlandia Seaways and Seven Sisters vessels had been met, but refused to disclose the exact amount saying that it would would be “prejudicial” to DFDS and the government.

It was also revealed in an ITV News report on 21 October that chief officer of the Economy Department, Richard Corrigan voted in online poll for DFDS to win the tender but later withdrew his entry claiming it was a mistake and has subsequently stepped down from involvement in the bid process.

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