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2020.03.24
1 Deputy I. Gardiner of St. Helier of the Minister for Economic Development,
Tourism, Sport and Culture regarding the plans in place to ensure the continued operation of the ports during the Coronavirus situation: (OQ.87/2020)
Will the Minister advise what plans are in place to ensure that the ports that serve Jersey will continue to operate to allow the maintenance of supplies to the Island during the current coronavirus situation?
Senator L.J. Farnham (The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and
Culture):
The Government of Jersey and Ports of Jersey have been working closely alongside key stakeholders over the past few weeks to ensure that our gateway remains open, safe and secure to be able to handle lifeline freight. Officers are also in daily contact with the Department for Transport in the U.K. (United Kingdom) to monitor the situation with U.K. air and sea ports. These key stakeholders include Condor, the freight logistic companies, the stevedores, and Ports of Jersey's own internal teams. Several proactive early measures were taken with Condor to ensure mitigations were put in place to bolster resilience of the freight service they operate and these include conventional ferries to operate as freight only to reduce exposure of the crew to the virus.
[10:45]
Arrangements made for stand by tonnage, minimum manning on some vessels to hold crew in reserve. The freight logistic companies and stevedores have shared their continuity plans and are members of the dedicated COVID-19 information cell, chaired by Ports of Jersey. This group is looking at ways these plans can dovetail to provide greater resilience. Ports of Jersey have implemented their own contingency plan to ensure essential services, such as pilotage, towage and coastguard, remain uninterrupted and I would like to thank all parties for their continued and dedicated service ensuring that we have excellent resilience in our supply lines in this challenging time.
3.1.1 Deputy I. Gardiner :
If we will have a shortage and the ports will be shut in the U.K. would we have planned boats ready to go and pick up prearranged supplies if it will happen? Do we have a contract with a prearranged supplier that will ensure we get our produce and medicine supplied if needed in an emergency?
Senator L.J. Farnham :
There is no anticipation that U.K. ports will be shut in relation to the supply of essential freight to the Channel Islands.