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Government of Jersey Policy Framework for the Ports Sector.

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Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

DECEMBER 2023 R.4/2024

1

Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

Contents

Ministerial Foreword 4

Introduction 5 Purpose of the Policy Framework 5 The Ports Sector 6 Vision and Goals 7 Our Strategic Priorities 8

Our Strategic Priorities

  1. Safety and security 10
  2. Sustainability 12
  3. Strategic air connectivity 16
  4. Strategic maritime connectivity and supply chain resilience 20
  5. Investment in critical infrastructure 24
  6. Development of our harbour and airport estates 28
  7. Economic regulation and governance 32
  8. Public Service Obligations 34

Policy Framework for the Ports Sector Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

Foreword Introduction Deputy Kirsten Morel

Minister for Sustainable Economic Development

Purpose of the Policy Framework

As an Island nation, we depend on the resilience and efficiency of our Ports Sector. The Ports Sector plays a crucial role in facilitating economic development and prosperity as well as maintaining connectivity which is vital to our well-being and our Island way of life.

The Ports Sector is an important enabler of economic development and all that it can provide for Islanders. This policy, the first of its kind in Jersey, establishes the priorities for the Ports Sector:

 Safety and security

 Sustainability

 Strategic air connectivity

 Strategic maritime connectivity and supply chain resilience  Investment in critical infrastructure

 Development of our harbour and airport estates

 Economic regulation and governance

 Public service obligations

This policy framework, instigated by the Ports Policy Ministerial Group, is intended to help

all stakeholders better understand the outputs Government is seeking from the Ports Sector. This framework, outlines the Government s policy direction and priorities for the sector. The Government is seeking a safe, secure and sustainable Ports Sector that is efficient, accessible and resilient to support the development of Jersey s economy, in order to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunities for Islanders. The Ports Sector enables economic activity - by moving people and goods and connecting Jersey as a trading nation to our overseas markets

- as well as significant social value.

The Government is committed to giving Islanders the Ports Sector they need. Therefore, we have identified our policy direction for the sector and will support the investment decisions required. Looking to the decade ahead, there are exciting opportunities before us sustainable travel by air and sea, the opportunity to transform and regenerate St. Helier Harbour, the creation of a new and future proofed airport. We need to grasp these opportunities to maximise the vital contribution of the Ports Sector, to enable economic development for our Island.

Deputy Kirsten Morel

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sustainable Economic Development


To provide the policy guidance, with safety and sustainability at its core, required to:

  1. support the continued development of a resilient, reliable and efficient Ports Sector;
  2. deliver generational investment in critical ports infrastructure;
  3. safeguard life-line services and the growth in connectivity.

Connectivity underpins Jersey s economy and the lives of all Islanders. We depend on aviation for our links with the rest of the world both socially and economically, and our maritime supply chain for the resilient, reliable and efficient movement of freight.

At the heart of the Government Programme is a commitment to create a sustainable and vibrant economy. Supporting economic development and productivity improvements, managing the cost of living, delivering on Jersey s environmental commitments and ensuring that Jersey s infrastructure is fit for the future, are all vital components of that commitment.

As part of the incorporation of Ports of Jersey in 2015, the Government of Jersey set out a number of objectives for the then newly incorporated Ports of Jersey, to enable it to continue the provision of essential public services to the Island in a sustainable manner.

However, no explicit or specific forward-looking sectoral policy was developed at the time that reflected the objectives of incorporation or Government s wider strategic goals and vision for this vital sector.

In November 2022, the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development reconstituted the Ports Policy Ministerial Group ( PPMG ). The PPMG provides ministerial direction and support to enable the effective and efficient implementation of key strategic priorities in the Ports Sector.

Given the economic importance of the sector, and the imperative to both meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of Jersey s future economy, the PPMG determined that this Strategic Policy Framework for the Ports Sector be developed.

Whilst Government, Ports of Jersey and the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority ( JCRA ) are most able to implement the strategic priorities and policy objectives of this Policy Framework, it is directed at the entire ports ecosystem including the network of airlines, shipping companies, freight companies, stevedores, marine engineers, leisure users and others. The Policy Framework is intended to provide clarity and ensure alignment for all stakeholders.

Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

The Ports Sector

For the purposes of this Policy Framework, the Ports Sector includes:

Government - Supported by standalone departments including Economy; Treasury and Resources; External Relations; and Justice and Home Affairs.

Ports of Jersey - Owner and operator of critical harbour and airport infrastructure. They are also responsible for various public service obligations including: co-ordinating, or providing resources for co-ordinating, maritime search and rescue within the Jersey Search and Rescue Region; maintenance of aids to navigation in territorial waters; acting as custodian of Jersey harbours; enforcement of shipping legislation in territorial waters; carrying out certain Port State Control functions; and, management of the Channel Islands Control Area.

Airlines - Scheduled airlines operating regular services to many UK destinations as well as a number of European destinations on a more infrequent basis. There are also several charter airlines that serve Jersey s tourism industry.

Private aviation Private charter, business charter, and fixed-based operations based at Jersey Airport s private aviation terminal and light aircraft services, general aviation and training at the Aero Club.

Shipping operators Shipping companies providing services to UK and Europe. These include roll-on roll-off freight and passenger ferry services on the northern and southern routes, a further passenger ferry operator providing seasonal services inter-island and to France, and several specialist lift-on lift-off containerised freight, bulk freight and fuel services operators.

Freight operators Providing storage and transport of goods from point of offload (ferry / plane) to businesses and customers. Most require warehousing within or close to the harbour estate.

Leisure users and supporting businesses Aviation services provided through the private aviation terminal and the Aero Club. Marine leisure services across Jersey s multiple marinas (predominantly in St Helier) which support maritime leisure and hospitality businesses.

The Blue Economy Includes Jersey s fishing fleet and maritime and marine specialists including engineers and ecologists.

Wider stakeholders Customs, Coastguard, Air Traffic Control, air and sea search and rescue operations, ground handlers, stevedores and ancillary ports services.


Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

Vision and Goals

Our vision is:

To build a more resilient, efficient, smart and sustainable Ports Sector that creates economic, environmental and social value for the whole of Jersey, helping make our beautiful Island an even greater place to live, work and visit.

The overarching policy goals are:

 To further enhance Jersey s connectivity by ensuring safe, secure and competitive services,

responsive to the needs of business, tourism and consumers;

 To ensure the resilience of Jersey s life-line air and sea links, by investing in critical gateway

infrastructure;

 To maximise the contribution of the Ports Sector to Jersey s economic development and

development in accordance with the Future Economy Programme; and

 To ensure all actions are guided by our environmental objectives. Alignment to critical Island interests:

Treasury and Resources

Shareholder relationships, finance, governance, risk

Economy Infrastructure Ferry services,

Impact of infrastructure  connectivity, productivity, planning and integration  sectoral development,

at airport and harbour cost of living, Coastguard

Government of Jersey

Ports of Jersey Justice and EnvironmentDecarbonisation,  JCRA Home Affairs

sustainability,  Resilience forum, planning authority customs and security,

contingency planning

Housing and External Communities Relations

Island housing needs,  Airport regulation (DCA), town integration, leisure  Channel Island Control use and public space Zone, Island Identity

Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

Our Strategic Priorities

The Policy Framework for the Ports Sector will be framed around the following eight strategic  priorities. Each of these strategic priorities is outlined and explored over the following pages.

Safety and security

  1. We will ensure that safe and secure operations are the priority for the Ports Sector,  and that safety regulation is robust, effective and efficient.

Sustainability

  1. We will ensure that the Ports Sector is sustainable in respect to our economy, our  environment and our community.

Strategic air connectivity

  1. We will nurture our existing route network and create the conditions to develop  sustainable development in high-value air connectivity (in particular into Europe) and  in aviation services.

Strategic maritime connectivity and supply chain resilience

  1. We will ensure Jersey s life-line ferry services are resilient, reliable, customer-focused  and deliver growth in passenger volumes. We will develop the conditions to drive  competition and efficiency across the maritime supply chain.

Investment in critical infrastructure

  1. We will enable investment in critical gateway infrastructure to ensure its long-term  resilience and deliver visitor experiences that Islanders are proud of.

Development of our harbour and airport estates

  1. We will support the development of the Harbour and Airport estates, creating  opportunities for economic development, enhancing the public realm and supporting  wider Government priorities in the visitor and blue economies.

Economic regulation and governance

  1. We will maintain a regulatory framework for the Ports Sector that reflects international  best practise, with economic regulation that protects consumers and facilitates critical  investment.

Public Service Obligations

  1. We will monitor and review the Public Service Obligations of Ports of Jersey to ensure  they continue to be discharged in accordance with best practice.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1:  Policy position

Safety and Security   Operational safety and security of the Sector shall remain the first priority of the PSector.  orts

 Ports of Jersey, and the wider sector, must:

We will ensure that safe and secure operations are the  -  seek both the continuous improvement of operational safety and security standards priority for the Ports Sector, and that safety regulation  and compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practise;

is robust, effective and efficient. -  ensure that identified safety and security risks are consistently, continuously and

thoroughly addressed; and

- maintain robust systems for reporting occurrences that may affect safety.

Background Issues

Safe and secure port operations, specifically related to passengers and those employed in the sector, is the primary sectoral focus of Government. Maintaining the highest standards in safety and security, regulatory compliance and industry best practice, underpins all other objectives and principles within this policy framework.

The Harbours (Administration) (Jersey) Law 1961 and The Aerodromes (Administration) (Jersey) Law 1952 contain various provisions in respect to the operational policing of safety and security matters in both its airspace and harbours.

Such provisions require the appointment,

by the Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, of a Harbour Authority and

an Airport Authority together with a Harbour Master and Airport Director to perform various functions on behalf of the Minister.

These operational safety and security provisions are separate to the wider non- operational public service obligations (considered separately under this Policy Framework) which are integral to the legal establishment and incorporation of Ports of Jersey.


Government s primary role is to ensure operational safety, security and regulatory compliance through the legislative and organisational arrangements and structures it has established for this purpose.

The Minister has appointed Ports of Jersey  as both the Jersey Harbour Authority and the  Jersey Airport Authority and has appointed  officers of Ports of Jersey as Harbour Master  and Airport Director.

Ports of Jersey was established by  Government with the primary objective to  provide, or ensure the provision of, safe,  secure and efficient port operations for Jersey,  whether by itself or by any other person acting  as its subsidiary, agent, employee or sub- contractor.  

Its establishment also determined that Ports of  Jersey is required to exercise its powers so as  not to conflict with the interests of aviation and  maritime safety and security.

Ports of Jersey is required to maintain the  high levels of sector specific knowledge  and expertise required to discharge these  functions.  

Environmental sustainability STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2:

Background Sustainability Inemergency2019 the . The climate emergency and the States Assembly declared a climate

loss of biodiversity are the critical challenges We will ensure that the Ports Sector is sustainable in respect  of our time.

to our economy, our environment and our community. To confront the climate emergency, the States

Assembly voted unanimously to approve the

Carbon Neutral Strategy 2019 and later, the

Carbon Neutral Roadmap (approved April

2022) which sets a clear emissions reduction Economic sustainability ensure that long term operator partnerships  trajectory towards net zero.

are financially resilient, to ensure delivery of

Background the Island s strategic priorities. The Carbon Neutral Roadmap and extension

of the Paris Agreement to Jersey creates a

The Covid-19 pandemic had an unprecedented

The JCRA s 2022 Freight Logistics Market  commitment to reach net zero emissions by impact on much of the Ports Sector, in

Study made various recommendations  2050, with interim targets set for reducing particular those companies delivering

from a competition perspective aimed at  emissions.

passenger services, marine and fishing  supporting competition in the freight sector

services.  (which has strong participant cross-over  Issues

with the Ports Sector). Implementation of the

Pprojected to reach pre-pandemic levels in assenger volumes are recovering and are  recommendations should help support the

The nature of Jersey s economy is a major

driver of its global environmental impact. 2025. Nevertheless, the residual financial  economic sustainability of both sectors.

Our air and sea transport links are essential impacts of the pandemic continue to impact  From a taxpayer s perspective, Ports of Jersey  to our Island life. Our economy and the way many of the companies in the Ports Sector. The  was established to be financially independent  we live our lives relies on these links, but economic sustainability of the sector requires  from Government. Ports of Jersey is funded  we must acknowledge and deal with their careful nurturing in the coming years.  from income (charges and fees) from delivering  environmental impact.

Issues its services. Its commercial success and

The Ports Sector exists predominantly to serve economic sustainability are not only vital from

our community and wider Island economy. Our just-in-time supply chains and Island living  a taxpayer perspective but also in ensuring the

However, the Carbon Neutral Strategy

place significant reliance on the continuity of  wider economic success of the sector.

2019 noted that in 2017 transport (all forms) our critical aviation and maritime supply chains

accounted for 51% of Scope 1 and 2 emissions and the financial resilience of key operators.

in Jersey, with road transport responsible for Long-term economic potential is typically  approximately 63% of those transport related determined by people and skills, capital  emissions and air and sea 37% (19% of total investment, and the business environment. Policy position emissions).

Sector participants are often reliant not only on  Low-carbon technologies for air and sea

their own investments in these areas, but also    The Ports Sector should seek to  transport are still in the relatively early stages on the investment by other sector participants.  appropriately invest and innovate in  of development and implementation but are Positive decisions and actions by one sector  respect to their people, skills, and  receiving global attention and importantly participant can benefit the rest of the sector  infrastructure, and seek to positively  investment.

and vice-versa. collaborate to generate mutual

Sectoral benefits.

Some of these considerations are covered    Long-term operator partnerships elsewhere within this Policy Framework,  must be financially resilient and including investment into critical infrastructure,  help deliver the Island s strategic development of the harbour and airport  priorities.

estates and regulation. Government must also


Policy position

 Government commits to delivering

the Carbon Neutral Roadmap as part of this policy framework.

 Government will work with Ports of

Jersey to reduce emissions from aviation and marine transport, in line with the Jet Zero scenario 2 emissions targets and obligations under the MARPOL treaty.

 Government will coordinate closely

with the UK aviation industry and government, to support its leading role in the work of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to reduce emissions from international aviation.

 Government will work with Ports

of Jersey to explore improvements in modal interfaces at the port and airport, and include medium-term investment plans for walking and cycling infrastructure.

 The Ports Sector must play its part

to ensure Jersey reaches net-

zero. To do so the sector should invest in collaborative and innovate processes, technologies and infrastructure.

 Ports of Jersey should explore

using tariff structures, to support the transition to cleaner technologies for ferry and aviation services.

 The Ports Sector should seek to

contribute to biodiversity net gain and to preserving our land and marine environments.

 Where the Ports Sector undertakes

construction, it should be undertaken sustainably, adopting circular design principles.

Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

Community sustainability The built environment of our harbour  

and airport estates directly impacts the  Background communities that either form part of those  

Community sustainability comprises many  estates or that work and live alongside them.  factors, including: employment and workforce;  We should seek to make our harbours and  

economy and skills; our local environment; the  airport welcoming and accessible to all  

safety, inclusivity and vibrancy of communities;  Islanders and to ensure that they are places  impacts on children and families; our ageing  that we, as a community, are proud of. population; health and wellbeing; and cost of  

living and housing. These are not exclusive. There is a moral duty on all Sector participants  

to positively contribute to our Social  

Issues Sustainability and make our Island an even  Almost all of these factors are influenced and  better place to live, work and play.

impacted by our connectivity. Operational  

efficiency and competition directly impact  

Islanders cost of living. We rely on the Ports  

Sector for virtually all the goods we consume,  Policy position

the transport of construction materials, our  

ability to connect with off-island friends and    The Ports Sector should seek to  relatives, access to education and specialist  embed community sustainability into  medical care, as well as to go on holiday. The  strategic planning and commercial  Sector is both a major employer and indirectly  decision making.

responsible for employment opportunities  

across the Island.

Jersey s Performance  Framework  

The vision for Jersey set out in the  Future Jersey Strategy is:

 An Island loved for its beautiful  coast and countryside, rich heritage,  diverse wildlife and clean air, land  and water. An Island where a sense  of community really matters a safe  place to grow up and enjoy life.  An Island that offers everyone the  opportunity to contribute to, and  share in, the success of a strong,  sustainable economy.  

The Ports Sector can seek to  deliver this vision through ensuring  its contribution to environmental,  economic and community  sustainability.

pandemic, and Jersey passenger numbers STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3:  are projected to reach pre-pandemic levels

in 2025.

Strategic air connectivity Jersey numbers has been achieved by putting in s success in rebuilding passenger

place framework agreements with key airline We will nurture our existing route network and create the  partners, creating the conditions for them to

conditions to develop sustainable development in high-value  deliver profitable growth.

connectivity (in particular into Europe) and in aviation services. The mix of open skies access to Jersey coupled with the commercial incentives

and marketing support provided to airlines

has proved successful in growing our Background need for airlines to be issued permits with

connectivity.

associated service level obligations to fly to

Air connectivity is the life-blood of our Island.  and from Jersey. This allowed Jersey to take  The market for airline services is incredibly It is a key driver of our Island s economy.  greater advantage of competition. competitive and Jersey competes with

It enables corporate travel, enhances the

airports across Europe to secure new attractiveness of Jersey as a business hub and  International studies repeatedly evidence the

air routes and services. Airlines operate feeds our visitor economy. positive impact of connectivity on the trade of

commercially, shifting capacity to the most goods and services, inward investment and

Air connectivity plays a critical social role,  profitable routes with increasing frequency.

the development of business locations, as

providing essential links for Islanders to be  well as the positive impacts connectivity has

able to access health care, education, to  on employment, economic development and  Pdevelopment and negotiating commercial orts of Jersey is responsible for route connect Islanders with friends and relatives  productivity.  arrangements with airlines. Visit Jersey is

and to enjoy leisure travel.

responsible for the promotion of Jersey as Trade in services is particularly important to

Jersey s air connectivity ensures Jersey is  a visitor destination, to new and existing

Jersey s economy. Those business sectors

an attractive place to live and do business,  markets.

with the highest propensity to fly are of

enabling high-quality talent to be secured and  significant economic value to the Island. Together, all partners recognise the critical existing talent to be retained.

importance of our air links and will continue  A 2019 report by Oxford Economics

Jersey s connectivity punches well above  to work across all relevant sectors to nurture

estimated that the tourism sector, facilitated

its weight for a small European island.  our existing network of routes and seek to

by connectivity to the Island, contributes

Jersey is served by an enviable mix of major  develop ever-enhancing connectivity. This is

£372m to the Islands economy.

international and regional airlines, local  also true of Jersey s sea connectivity which is operators providing dedicated regional    The 10-year commercial loan negotiated  explored in the next chapter.

services, and respected charter operators. with Blue Islands was estimated by KPMG

As Jersey has a comparatively small

to provide £620m impact on the Island

population, incremental changes in Connectivity can be divided into: economy over 10-years.

connectivity can have disproportionately

 Direct connectivity: which refers to the    A 2022 study by Oxford Economics  beneficial impacts.

direct air services available from the airport,

measured not just in terms of destinations,  estimated that the 5-year British Airways deal to London Heathrow has the ability  The impact and benefit of air connectivity is but also the frequency of flights to those  to increase GDP by £123m per annum and  complex as is the likelihood of a new route s

destinations. support up to 1,200 jobs.  success. Factors such as ease of access,

proximity to key locations, concentration

 Indirect connectivity: which refers to the  Issues of services, catchment, breadth of

number of destinations that can be reached  onward European and wider-international

by connecting through a hub airport.  The Covid-19 pandemic had an unprecedented  connections (both to leisure and business Following a policy change by Government in  impact on the travel sector globally with  destinations) inform any benefits generated. passengers down 76% in 2020 and 61%

2003, and the subsequent repeal of the Air  in 2021 on 2019 levels. There has been a  Business travellers, leisure visitors, visitors Transport Permits (Jersey) Law 1998, Jersey  strong recovery in passenger numbers post  of friends and relatives, and departing adopted an open skies policy removing the


Islander leisure travellers each have different rationales for travel and desires to be met. Understanding these passenger segments and promoting services which meet their current and future needs, is critical to successful route development.

The key focuses of our approach to sustainably growing Jersey s strategic air connectivity will be:

 To position Jersey Airport as a Regional

Hub within the Channel Islands and Northern France.

 Commercialising Jersey s stronger air

connectivity to benefit local and nearby passenger segments outside of Jersey.

 To build year-round connectivity to the UK

and Ireland, reducing the seasonality of visitors to Jersey.

 To develop a sustainable network of

European destinations, with a focus on:

- Growing scheduled services to key European cities

- Building routes into Northern France (Normandy and Brittany), strengthening our cultural and economic ties, and offering easy access to the UK for people living in Northern France.

- Securing hub connectivity to a major European hub airport.

The development of our strategic air connectivity will be critically dependent on:

 Ports of Jersey s ability to operate

commercially, building partnerships with new and existing carriers to secure additional services.

 Visit Jersey s ability to market our Island,

building awareness of Jersey as a visitor destination, in particular in new markets.

 Investment in our visitor accommodation to

provide additional capacity and to meet the needs of future travellers.

 The development of our visitor economy to

provide a compelling year-round offer.

We must also acknowledge that network  LITHU growth cannot be at any environmental cost.

Aviation plays a significant role in global CO2

emissions and Jersey s own climate change

story therefore, Jersey will not sacrifice its

responsibility to tackle the biggest challenge

of our time solely in pursuit of greater national

wealth. Recognising this, the Government

keeps environmental protection as one of

this policy framework s eight critical missions.

Detail is given within Strategic Priority 2.

Policy position

 The Ports Sector should facilitate a dynamic and effective market for air services,

which enables sustainable connectivity, maximises the contribution of the sector to economic development in Jersey, and facilitates travel for islanders.

 Supporting existing and growing new air connectivity routes is in Jersey s long-term

economic interest. Government will work with Ports of Jersey and Visit Jersey to support connectivity initiatives.

 The Port Sector should closely monitor existing core routes to ensure they remain

viable and that they are maintained.

 Government will maintain its open skies route access policy.

 Government will seek ways to develop and support a year-round visitor market to

Jersey to support year-round capacity particularly on UK and Irish routes.

 Government will seek ways to enable investment in additional visitor accommodation

and support diversification of the product offer, to ensure sufficient and attractive capacity for Jersey s inbound leisure market.

 Government will work with the Ports Sector to explore opportunities to develop

European connectivity, including developing additional regional connectivity to support our traditional cultural and economic links with Brittany and Normandy, and seeking to secure connectivity to a major European hub airport.

 Government commits to keeping to the targets within the Carbon Neutral Roadmap in

pursuit of this strategic policy objective.

   

Issues LoLo services to the Island provide an STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4:  The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the  important counterbalance to the single operator position in the RoRo market.

Strategic maritime  three critical components:

importance of the resilience and efficiency of

our maritime supply chain, which depends on  The foot passenger only service provided by connectivity and    Ferry services Manche Ile Express provides important linkbetween the Channel Islands and Normandyparticularly for inbound leisure visitors from s ,

supply chain resilience Ferry servicesPFreight logistics servicesort infrastructure and operations, and Francepassenger onlyto financial shock, as they cannot rely on supporting income streams from freight . However, they are more susceptible , as these services are foot

services.

We will ensure Jersey s life-line ferry services are resilient,  Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands

reliable, customer-focused and deliver growth in passenger  and accounts for approximately 60% of freight  Port infrastructure and operations volumes. We will develop the conditions to drive competition  and passenger traffic to the Islands. Howeverscale in services is important, particularly  ,  The resilience, capacity and flexibility of

and efficiency across the maritime supply chain. where bespoke, capital-intensive infrastructure  Jersey importances port infrastructure is of critical given the operational constraints of

is required. Pan-Channel Island solutions to  the harbour (extreme tidal range, susceptibility sea connectivity and supply chain resilience  to weather disruption, and space limitations). are in the combined best interests of Jersey

Background Most LoLo freight also originates from

and Guernsey.  At peak times, RoRo freight operations exceed Portsmouth, however LoLo freight (including  current harbour capacity. Freight volumes are

Our maritime connectivity provides lifeline links  bulks) is carried from a much wider variety  forecast to increase as our population grows for both freight and passengers.  of locations, including cement from Dublin,  The scale of the markthe Channel Islands is best-suited to a single et for ferry services to  and through additional factors such as the use

Islanders rely on our ferry services to  Dunkirk, and various ports in the Netherlands. RoRo operation, with a high bar to entry to  of imported sand and aggregates.

 drive-off island, northbound to the UK and  Jersey has an Operating Agreement (OA)  competing services, but which ensures the

southbound to France and wider into Europe  with Condor Ferries which provides de facto  year-round provision of services.  The limited availability of warehousing,

economically and socially they are our sea- exclusivity for the provision of RoRo freight and  The current operating agreement with Condor  particularly close to the harbour, coupled with based motorways. passenger services to Jersey. All passenger  is due to expire in March 2025.  challenging access to warehousing elsewhere on Island, means that Jersey s supply chain

Our maritime supply chain is responsible for  vehicles and containerised RoRo freight is  operates largely as a Just in Time (JIT) supply carrying nearly 500,000 tonnes of the Island s  carried by Condor.  Wthe provision of ferry services:e will ensure that the future arrangements for  chain for our Islands supermarkets and stores.

freight. There is no exclusivity in respect to LoLo

Volumes of dry cargo are dominated by unit  services. However, within Jersey s freight    Unlocks investment in the fleet of ferry  Wgenerational investment to reconfigure e will ensure that Ports of Jersey undertake load traffic comprising: ecosystem, there are a range of stakeholders  vessels. the port infrastructure in St Helier harbour,

 Roll-on roll off (RoRo) freight services,  and partners:   Provides capacity to deliver growth in  to provide the capacity and resilience

predominantly in the form of unaccompanied  Channel Seaways is the dominant provider off  passenger volumes and to accommodate  requirements for future generations (see trailers; and,  LoLo services. Normandy Trader transports  projected growth in freight volumes.  Strategic Priority 5).

general freight and bulk timber from Granville    Enhances the resilience and reliability of the  Freight logistics services

 Lift-on lift-off (LoLo) which is a mixture of  and St Malo. ferry services.

containers (boxes), tank/fuel containers and  The JCRA s Freight Logistics Market Study palletised cargo on flat racks. St Helier Port Services operates as the agent    Increases the quality and value for money of  (2022) made seven recommendations

for the transport of bulk cement and bulk  passenger services on board. pertinent to the Ports Sector. The

The port also handles some dry bulktimber as well as bulk fuel oils, received from s and  hydrocarbon fuels to Jersey. recommendations, which Government

tankers and piped to storage. Iris Freight and Vedette Jolie France transport    Prioritises environmental sustainabilitywith future fleet arrangements supporting ,  supports, are:

comparatively small volumes of freight  Jersey s carbon-neutral objectives.   For Ports of Jersey to review the use of Most freight arrives through Rand is predominantly carried by conventional oRo services  (Guernsey and Granville respectively). facilities and the leasing arrangements at the

ferries from Portsmouth, with smaller volumes  Manche Iles Express provide foot passenger    Provides the best value-for-money option for Islanders and operations that are financially  harbour.

from Poole, Guernsey and St Malo.  services between France and Jersey and  sustainable.

seasonal inter-island services.

Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

 The potential creation of temporary and  Government supports competition in the  targeted freight corridors between the  freight logistics market or, in the absence of  

harbour and warehousing elsewhere. effective competition, regulation of the market  (considered in Strategic Priority 7).

 Initiatives to drive operational efficiency.

Jersey has a history of close social and  

 Establishment of a freight industry trade  economic links with Brittany and Normandy.  

association. However, our supply chain links are dominated    Development of a Government policy  through established Northern route supply  

framework to support effective competition  chains. This reflects the dominance of UK  

in the freight logistics market. supermarket and high street brands in Jersey.

 Ensuring investment in port infrastructure  We will explore the development a Southern  (the Harbour Master Plan) supports effective  supply route, and assess possibilities to  competition in the freight logistics market. diversify our supermarket and high street  

offerings, provide increased consumer choice,    Government to support the development of  value and economic development. Additional  

existing and new freight routes to France. benefits might include enhanced resilience,  reducing dependence on the Northern supply  

route.

Policy position

 Government will work with the Ports Sector to facilitate a competitive, dynamic and  

effective market for maritime and shipping services, which enables sustainable and  resilient connectivity, ensures our life-line maritime supply chain is maintained and  which maximises the contribution of the sector to economic development in Jersey.

 Government will work with the sector to achieve the targets set within the Carbon  

Neutral Roadmap and will work with Ports of Jersey to monitor the marine sector  

in line with the International Maritime Organisation s (IMO s) greenhouse gas  strategy and in compliance with our obligations as a signatory to the IMO s pollution  prevention treaty, MARPOL.  

 Government will ensure that the arrangements for the future provision of ferry  

services, following the end of the current operating agreement in March 2025,  will: unlock investment in the fleet of ferry vessels, provide capacity for growth in  passenger and freight volumes, enhance the resilience and reliability of services,  increase the quality and value for money of passenger services and prioritises  environmental sustainability.

 LoLo remains an important mode of freight transport for the Island and provides an  

alternative form of competition for freight services.

 The Ports Sector should invest in clean and SMART technologies and infrastructure to  

improve the operational efficiency and sustainability of port operations.

 Government supports competition in the freight logistics market, or in the absence of  

effective competition, regulation of the market.

 Government supports the Ports Sector exploring the development of the southern  

supply chain.

 Government will pursue and support initiatives that encourage inbound visitor travel  

from France, helping to support both roll-on passenger and foot passenger only  services to Brittany and Normandy.

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Separately, the JCRA s Freight Logistics STRATEGIC PRIORITY 5:  Market Study (2022) provided various

recommendations to the freight sector, Investment in  Sector. The JCRA s recommendations, all of

which has strong cross-over with the Ports

which are supported by Government, target critical infrastructure enabling increased competition in the freight

sector. Recommendations impacting the Port

Sector include, seeking to increase capacity, We will enable investment in critical gateway infrastructure to  flexibility and efficiency of harbour space and

operations.

ensure its long-term resilience and deliver visitor experiences

that Islanders are proud of. Investment in the resilience of the critical harbour and airport infrastructure, ensuring capacity is in place to meet future volumes

of passenger and freight traffic, must now be Background We will ensure that significant investment and  urgently prioritised by the sector specifically

re-development of the Harbour and Airport  Ports of Jersey. Appropriate investment should Our airport and harbour are the first and last  is undertaken to ensure their resilience and  also seek to unlock capacity and support

places visitors to our Island see. They play a  allow them to meet the Island s economic and  competition in the freight market.

critical role in the perceptions visitors form of  environmental ambitions and Islanders needs.

our Island.  The redevelopment of the Airport is

Issues required to safeguard and develop our

St Helier Harbour and Jersey Airport  lifeline connectivity, ensure future regulatory are critically important national strategic  The case for incorporation of Ports of Jersey  compliance, meet forecast capacity infrastructure assets. St Helier Harbour is  included the need to manage the risks to  requirements, and support changing trends in integral to Jersey s life-line maritime supply  public finances, including bridging a projected  air travel, aircraft technology and aircraft size. chain while the connectivity provided by  funding shortfall in-excess of £300million at

Jersey Airport is essential for business travel,  the time of incorporation. This reflected the  Sustainability must be embedded into every trade and tourism.  significant under-investment in the harbour  aspect of the development of the harbour and

and airport infrastructure over a protracted  airport infrastructure. Government has taken Together, the Harbour and Airport make a  period prior to the incorporation of Ports of  a keen interest in Ports of Jersey s proposals

significant contribution to Jersey s economy  Jersey.  for the redevelopment of Elizabeth Harbour by generating, supporting and enabling a  (as part of the Harbour Master Plan) and of diverse range of economic and social activity.  The Bridging Island Plan noted both facilities  the Airport Master Plan at both Ministerial and They support the employment of thousands of  [the Airport and Harbour] are now ageing  officer level. Government is supportive of the Islanders directly and indirectly and enable  and are having to accommodate increased  process undertaken by Ports of Jersey.

Jersey to be a place that people want to live,  volumes of freight, larger vessels and

visit and work. aircraft and the more demanding aspirations

of passengers for an improved customer

Government s Future Economy Strategy (May  experience when waiting at, or travelling

2022) notes its vision to be a consistently  through, the ports.

high-performing, environmentally sustainable

and technologically advanced small island  Significant capital investment is required

economy by 2040 and references five  in order to renew or upgrade port-related

missions for Jersey s economy by 2040 to  infrastructure and to support the resilience of

achieve this.  the Island s lifeline services and supply chain,

as well as ensuring the future sustainability

The Harbour and the Airport play a critical role  of port-related industries and services. To

in acting as enablers for our future economic  achieve this, careful consideration must

prosperity and in achieving the targets of the  be given to the principles concerning the

Carbon Neutral Roadmap. facilitation and recovery of capital investment

requirement to support such investment.


Policy position

 Generational investment in the

Harbour and Airport are essential to Jersey s future economic prosperity.

 Sustainability should be

embedded into every aspect of the development of the harbour and airport infrastructure.

 Infrastructure investment should

seek to build resilience, capacity, flexibility and efficiency whilst presenting a memorable first and last impression to Island visitors and delivering a heightened customer experience.

 Investment should support

innovation and sectoral growth, whether in existing or new marine and aviation industries.

 Recognising the constraints of the

sector, investment should help encourage competition within those elements of the freight sector that also form part of the Ports Sector.

 Government supports Ports of

Jersey s proposed redevelopment of Elizabeth Harbour, as part of the wider Harbour Master Plan, and is supportive of the Airport Master Plan.

ARTIST S IMPRESSION

Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 6:

Development of harbour and airport estates

We will support the development of the Harbour and Airport estates, creating opportunities for economic development, enhancing the public realm and supporting wider Government priorities in the visitor and blue economies.

Background Globally, the real estate surrounding Harbours

and Airports generates significant footfall,

The Harbour and Airport and their immediate  providing the opportunity to undertake surrounds provide the first and last  wider economic and public realm investment impressions for visitors to the Island. They  projects.

also act as a catalyst for economic activity,

both for companies operating in the maritime  Issues

and aviation supply chains, as well as creating

development opportunities. The commercial development of the Harbour

and Airport estates are a vital element of Ports Government supports the development of  of Jersey s proposals and ability to invest in

the Harbour and Airport estates, to create  the critical Harbour and Airport infrastructure, wider community and economic benefits, as  without requiring any Government financial well as enabling investment in critical ports  support.

infrastructure without taxpayer support.

The integrated development of the critical Alongside the core operational elements of  Harbour and Airport infrastructure with the Jersey s harbour and airport sit a portfolio of  commercial and cultural development of the assets. At the harbour, these include La Folie,  wider estates is a major opportunity for the New North Quay, the Steam Clock, La Collette,  Island.

Victoria Pier and Albert Pier. At the airport,

these include the airport terminal, car parks,  The transformation of the Harbour estate, hangars, the cargo centre, the Aero Club and  in the heart of St Helier, will define the

land adjacent to the airport.  harbourfront for generations to come. Similarly,

the development of the Airport estate can act Development, whether of the harbour estate  as a catalyst for economic development.

or at the airport, provides an opportunity to

support the growth of existing Ports Sector  The availability of developable land in Jersey businesses and encourage new participants  is limited. It is therefore incumbent on Ports

to the sector. Much of the developing blue  of Jersey to maximise the utilisation of space economy and those businesses ancillary to  across the Harbour and Airport estates.

the airport are themselves highly productive  Their development should be undertaken businesses. They play an important role as  commercially (to finance the required

part of the Ports Sector ecosystem to deliver  infrastructure investment) but should also economic development and attract new  support wider Island priorities, including:

businesses to Jersey.

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Policy Framework for the Ports Sector

 Providing additional housing. Ports of Jersey has undertaken extensive

Harbour and Airport master-planning

 Developing visitor accommodation. processes to identify the development

 Creating facilities to support the growth of  opportunities.

the blue economy. Ports of Jersey was established with an

 Delivering public realm that supports the  independent board with the knowledge, Island identity. experience and mandate required to

undertake both the investment in critical

 Integrating cultural, leisure and commercial  infrastructure with the wider development

space to create a destination for tourists and  of the Harbour and Airport estates, whilst Islanders. ensuring the continuity of operations.

 Transforming the Harbour Estate to bring the  Collaboration between all key stakeholders,

Harbour and St Helier closer together. involved in the development of the Harbour  Complementing developments projects  and Airport, is essential to ensure the

taking place adjacent to the Harbour and  development opportunities are expedited.

Airport, such as the Waterfront development.

Policy position

 Government supports the redevelopment of the Harbour and Airport estates.

 Ports of Jersey will lead the development of the Harbour and Airport estates, which

is essential to their ability to deliver investment in critical operational infrastructure without the need for taxpayer support.

 Development should seek to:

- Support the sustainable development of the wider Ports Sector.

- Contribute to reducing the Islands housing shortage.

- Incorporate opportunities for visitor accommodation.

- Protect historic and cultural characteristics, integrated with commercial and leisure opportunities.

- Deliver transformational public realm whilst improving public accessibility to town.

Issues

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 7:  Significant investment is required in the

critical Harbour and Airport infrastructure. Economic regulation  operationally resilient and able to meet the

This infrastructure must be fit for purpose, and governance that rely on the operation of the infrastructure

foreseeable requirements of the market and

the users it serves. In turn this allows operators

and facilities to have confidence in their own We will maintain a regulatory framework for the Ports  investment decisions.

Sector that reflects international best practise, with  Regulation plays a critical role in determining economic regulation that protects consumers and  investment. The ability of a regulated entity to

facilitates critical investment. raise debt, particularly for significant capital expenditure projects, is directly influenced by

its projected cash flows. Appropriate balance is required when applying regulatory pricing

Background Given the port operator s dominant market  regimes, to protect the interests of consumers

position in the provision of regulated services,  as well as ensuring the required investment in The three pillars to the Ports Sector are  it remains appropriate for the JCRA to  critical infrastructure at the harbour and airport

Ports of Jersey s provision and operation  implement regulatory oversight and control  is undertaken.

of critical infrastructure at the Harbour and  measures.

Airport, airline and ferry services to and from  Increasingly, ports and airports around the

the Island, and on-island freight logistics  Airlines are not subject to economic regulation  world are using tariff mechanisms to support operations. by the JCRA and there is no current need or  the transition to cleaner technologies, to

call for regulatory intervention in respect to the  positively influence the environmental impact Ports of Jersey was established under the Air  provision of airline services.  of services provided by their customers.

and Sea P2015. This law provides that an operator of orts (Incorporation) (Jersey) Law  The ability of Ports of Jersey to amend its

port operations requires a licence issued by  Roperated under the terms of an operating oRo freight and car ferry services are  tariff structures to support environmental

the JCRA as the economic regulator of the  agreement and the issuance of ramp  sustainability should be enabled by the

sector. Ports of Jersey is the sole licensed  permits. This arrangement provides de-facto  regulator.

port operator.  exclusivity for the freight and car passenger  Recognising the breadth of Ports of Jersey s

ferry operator. To ensure the operator cannot  activities, price regulation should focus on JCRA s primary duty under this law is to best  abuse this exclusive position, the operating  those areas in which Ports of Jersey has

protect and further the interests of users  agreement imposes various service and  significant market power.

of port operations by, where appropriate,  reporting obligations. Such arrangements

promoting competition in the provision of  being in-lieu of direct regulation by the JCRA.  Government will encourage the JCRA to use port operations.  quality of service and waiting list measures

On-island freight services are currently  in the regulation of Ports of Jersey.

In addition, the JCRA is required to ensure  not regulated. However, they have been

provision is made to satisfy all reasonable  subject to a recent market study, the JCRA s  Government considers there to be effective demands, both current and prospective, for  Freight Logistics Market Study (2022), that  competition in airline services. This follows the port operations and services, and that they  reviewed factors that may affect competition  move to Government s open skies policy noted are provided efficiently and effectively. and resilience in the supply of services  in Strategic Priority 3.

The JCRA implements regulatory oversight  and accordingly set out recommendations  As noted in Strategic Priority 4, the current and control mechanisms by attaching  (discussed under Strategic Priority 4). ferry services operating agreement ends in

tailored conditions under the licence issued  March 2025. Future contractual arrangements to the port operator. Such conditions are  must ensure appropriate sharing of risk and

set periodically following a market review  reward as well as open-book reporting. In the and consultation conducted by the JCRA  absence of such arrangements Government (currently in progress). would need to consider imposing regulation.


Government considers that effective competition in the freight logistics market, or regulation in the absence of competition, is vital in ensuring economic sustainability.

Policy position

 Economic regulation of the Ports

Sector should balance protecting the interests of consumers with

the timely implementation of the significant capital investment in critical infrastructure required at the Airport and Harbour.

 Economic regulation should allow

Ports of Jersey the flexibility to amend tariffs to influence the environmental sustainability of ferry and aviation services.

 Government will seek to ensure

that the arrangements for the future provision of ferry services, following the end of the current operating agreement in March 2025, are

made on an open book basis and

that permitted returns reflect a fair sharing of risk and reward.

 Government will also ensure

that legislation is compatible and consistent with policy guidance it puts forward.

 Government supports the

recommendations of the JCRA s Freight Logistics Market Study (2022), should these measures fail to deliver effective competition, Government will consider regulation of the sector.

 Economic regulation should

reflect international best practice, combining the use of quality of service and key performance measures with the implementation of price control measures.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 8:  Policy position

Public Service Obligations   Government eObligations, in accordance with its PSO agreements or as specifically agreed with the xpects that Ports of Jersey will at all times discharge its Public Service

responsible Minister.

We will monitor and review the Public Service Obligations of    PSO agreements should be periodically reviewed and updated based on best Ports of Jersey to ensure they continue to be discharged in  practice and learnings from the practical application of existing agreements. accordance with best practice.

Background

When Ports of Jersey was incorporated, Government transferred various duties and functions to the newly incorporated entity. These duties and functions, critical to our Island but outside of the normal operations of a commercial harbour and airport, had previously been undertaken within the Jersey Harbours and Jersey Airport functions within Government.

These specific duties and functions are referred to as Public Service Obligations (PSOs) under the Air and Sea Ports (Incorporation) (Jersey) Law 2015. They are:

  1. Co-ordinating, or providing resources for co-ordinating, maritime search and rescue within the Jersey Search and Rescue Region;
  2. Maintenance of aids to navigation in territorial waters;
  3. Acting as custodian of Jersey harbours;
  4. Enforcement of shipping legislation in territorial waters;
  5. Carrying out certain port State control functions; and
  6. Management of the Channel Islands Control Area.

Ports of Jersey has been delivering these PSOs, contributing to the sustainability of our economy, our environment and the social wellbeing of Islanders.


Ports of Jersey should continuously seek  improvements in service provision, utilising  expert advice, guidance and learning  wherever it is considered beneficial.

Issues

The 2015 incorporation law provides for the  shared expectations of Government and  Ports of Jersey regarding the discharging  

of each of the above PSOs to be defined in  formal agreements between Ports of Jersey  and either the Minister for Sustainable  Economic Development or, in the case  

of custodianship of Jersey Harbours, the  Minister for Treasury and Resources.  

An agreement between the then Minister  for Sustainable Economic Development  and Ports of Jersey covering PSOs (a), (b),  (d) and (e) was promptly reached following  incorporation in 2015.

Agreements covering (c) and (f) are yet to  

be documented, however, they are covered  practically through lease agreements and  ongoing communication with the Minister for  External Relations, respectively.  

To ensure the continued delivery of these  PSO obligations, and that they match the  expectations of Islanders, it is appropriate  that PSO agreements are periodically review  and updated, reflecting our learnings from  current service provision and best practices  from around the world.

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