Guernsey's Economic Development Committee says it is finalising a contract with Brittany Ferries 'regardless of the decision that the Government of Jersey reaches'.

The Channel Islands were expected to make a joint decision on who would run their ferry services for the next 15 years, but Guernsey announced on 30 October that it has chosen Brittany Ferries, the majority-owner of Condor Ferries.

Jersey's government has yet to confirm its choice, but Guernsey's Economic Development Committee now says it will evaluate a ‘Guernsey only’ approach with Brittany Ferries.

A contract is expected to be finalised by 15 November, enabling the company to publish its schedules later this month.

Head of Guernsey's Economic Development Deputy Neil Inder says his committee is confident in its ferry firm choice.

"The Committee and its officers are in regular contact with service users and with Brittany Ferries as we seek to finalise the contractual arrangements and as Brittany Ferries seeks to finalise the schedules.

There is also ongoing conversation with the Government of Jersey, although at this stage they have not confirmed their plans.”

His statement continued, indicating that there have been discussions between the islands’ authorities about inter-islands travel should Jersey and Guernsey have separate operators from each other on the UK and France routes.

”Regardless of the decision that the Government of Jersey reaches, we have committed that should we take different approaches we will work together to put in place a robust inter-island service, building on the recent joint agreement with Manches-Iles-Express.

“The partnership with Brittany Ferries also provides opportunities to further develop our (Guernsey’s) community and commercial relationships with Normandy and Brittany, and we are about to begin conversations with them and also with trade bodies on maximising the benefits of the new approach.”