Ferry operator announcement could be delayed

Wednesday, 23 October 2024 at 14:39

The announcement of which ferry firm will operate services in the Channel Islands from next spring could be delayed by 'some days' after a senior civil servant removed himself from the process.

Economy Department Chief Officer Richard Corrigan ‘recused himself’ from the tender process for future ferry services after voting for DFDS in an online poll.

Asked an urgent question in the States Assembly about the ramifications, Jersey’s Economic Development Minister said the change in a Senior Reporting Officer could potentially delay the announcement of the outcome of the ferry tender process by a few days.

Deputy Kirsten Morel said the most likely replacement will be the Chief Officer of Infrastructure, Andy Scate.

He also told the Chamber he believes it was a genuine mistake on Mr Corrigan's behalf:

"There is no doubt in my mind that he stepped aside to avoid any perception of conflict of interest.

"…I do not like speaking on behalf of other people, but I also believe this is the view of the Chief Executive Officer, that this was a genuine error.

"He wanted to understand what the public was thinking when he saw the poll, but the only way to see at that time how the results were going was to press one of the voting buttons."

Three firms are understood to have bid for the 15 year contract to operate freight and passenger services from Jersey and Guernsey from April 2025 - DFDS, incumbent Condor Ferries and Irish Ferries.

An announcement was expected by the end of October.