The governments of Guernsey and Jersey are under pressure to make a swift decision on the future of their ferry services. Fran Torode from the Condor Ferries User Group expressed concerns about the impact of delays on Condor staff, who face job uncertainty, and on the islands' tourism industry, with next year’s schedules still unreleased.
Jersey's Economic Development Minister, Kirsten Morel, indicated that a decision may be announced in November, following the withdrawal of a key civil servant who had voted in an online poll favouring one of three ferry companies bidding on the contract. Politicians in both islands have raised concerns about the transparency of the process but were reassured by Morel that no bias influenced the process.
Trials with Danish ferry company DFDS have already taken place, but both governments have withheld the costs of these trials, as well as fees for keeping MV Arrow, owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet, on standby. The competing companies include Condor Ferries, DFDS, and Irish Ferries, vying for a 15-year contract.