Scrutiny questions Minister on the new Jersey-only ferry tender process.
20 November 2024
The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel has heard that the current arrangements regarding the leasing of contingency vessels will come to an end at the start of January, and that no further arrangements will be made until the new ferry tender process has been completed.
The Panel questioned the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, in a public hearing following the Government’s decision to end its participation in a joint Channel Islands ferry tender process and launch a new one for Jersey-only services.
The Minister told the Panel that officers are due to receive bids from two ferry operators this week and that an announcement regarding the preferred operator is expected at the start of December.
During the hearing, the Panel questioned the Minister regarding the current arrangements regarding the leasing of contingency vessels, which have been put in place to ensure supplies are maintained into the Island.
The Minister confirmed that the current arrangements will end on the 3 January, and that he would like to see the new ferry tender process through to its conclusion before deciding on the next steps.
During the hearing, the Panel also heard that an independent third-party evaluator will be used to help the assess the bids put forward in the new ferry tender process to ensure impartiality in the process.
Deputy Montfort Tadier, the Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, said: ‘I thank the Minister and his officers for agreeing to the hearing at short notice. It is very important that the Panel, on behalf of the public, were able to ask more questions about not only what happened during the joint tender process, and the difficulties that arose, but to seek reassurance that those involved in the new process will keep an open mind. Islanders rely heavily on the ferry service not only for travel but to keep Jersey supplied, so it is important that we are able to apply as much scrutiny as possible to ensure those links are being protected. The Panel will continue to monitor the process and will undertake any scrutiny of the tender process that is required.’
