Ferry decision could be delayed after vote error

In a recent development regarding the ferry services in the Channel Islands, a key official from Jersey has stepped back from a decision-making role following a voting incident. Richard Corrigan, the chief officer of the Department for the Economy, temporarily withdrew from his involvement after he voted in an informal online poll for one of the three competing firms.

During our interview, Deputy Kirsten Morel, the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, addressed the situation. He stated that the government considered it “an inadvertent mistake” and emphasized that it was corrected promptly once Corrigan became aware of the error.

When asked about the potential impact on the timeline for awarding the ferry contract, Morel acknowledged that this change could push the final decision into November. “Any delay will be measured in days, not any longer,” he added. He emphasized the fluid nature of the process, which involves collaboration between Jersey and Guernsey, as well as political considerations.

Morel expressed confidence that despite the setback, a decision could still be reached within a few weeks. He noted, “I don’t know if it will be before the end of the month or if it will extend into November.”

It’s noteworthy that Corrigan’s vote was for the Danish firm DFDS, which is competing with Irish Ferries and Condor for the contract. The poll raised questions about impartiality, as it aimed to gauge public opinion on which company should be awarded the ferry service contract.

To address concerns over perceived bias, Morel assured that a new senior reporting officer would be appointed next week to oversee the remaining stages of the tender process. “This was a genuine error,” he affirmed. “He wanted to understand what the public thought, but that led to this situation.”

When pressed by Deputy Jonathan Renouf about whether this incident could taint the integrity of the tender process, Morel remained firm, stating, “It was a blunder, not bias.” He expressed his belief that the process remains sound, despite the challenges.

Condor Ferries’ current agreements with Jersey and Guernsey will expire on March 27, 2025. The successful bidder will be expected to operate the ferry services for the next 15 years. Earlier this month, DFDS was involved in berthing trials at both St Peter Port and St Helier harbors, as part of its preparation for the potential contract.