BRITTANY Ferries is to become the majority owner of Condor Ferries following recent changes in the ownership structure. 

Condor Ferries, which operates from the Port of Poole to Guernsey, Jersey and St Malo in France, was acquired in 2019 by a consortium comprising Brittany Ferries and the London-based Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund. 

Subject to approval by the regulatory authorities in Jersey and Guernsey, the French ferry operator will assume majority ownership and operational control of the Channel Islands-based company in the next few weeks.  

Christophe Mathieu, chief executive of Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries, said: “We are pleased to confirm our intention to become the majority owner of Condor Ferries, pending approval from the Islands’ regulatory authorities, over the next few weeks. 

“Brittany Ferries has the experience, expertise and scale, along with extensive knowledge of the transport sector and customer service to implement best practices, which ultimately will result in a better service for Condor’s passengers. 

“This change demonstrates our commitment to the Islands, shows Brittany Ferries is adding strength and depth to the existing team and delivers continuity and resilience in the long term.” 

Once approved, Brittany Ferries will own 51 per cent of Condor Ferries, with Columbia Threadneedle retaining a minority shareholding.  

In January this year, the Government of Jersey and States of Guernsey confirmed a procurement process for a new long-term operating agreement.  

Brittany Ferries is actively leading this bid and believes it and Condor are the right operators, with the right vessels and experience, to serve the Islands for many years to come. 

Mr Mathieu added: “We believe we operate exactly the right fleet for the Islands: a mix of conventional freight and passenger ferries for lifeline freight and travel for Islanders, alongside the high speed vessels that are essential for supporting the visitor economies of Jersey and Guernsey.” 

Justin Amey, head of sales and marketing at Condor Ferries, added: “Condor Ferries has an unshakeable mission to provide the highest-quality service to our passengers, and we are constantly adapting and evolving to ensure that we do so, a mission shared wholeheartedly by Brittany Ferries.”