Brittany Ferries’ chairman Jean-Marc Roué has responded to the on-going ferry contract saga with a clear message for Jersey’s chief minister. In a letter to Lyndon Farnham, Monsieur Roué expressed surprise and concern that the Condor-Brittany Ferries bid had not been accepted by Jersey. This, despite a clear decision by Guernsey following the nine-month tender process.

He also confirmed the company will respond to a new Jersey-only bid process. However, he added that he had no option but to respond to damaging comments made in the States of Jersey Assembly and in media reports over the last week.

“The company I chair exists because its only guide is customer satisfaction,” Roué says in the letter. “The financial benefits of our activities are totally reinvested in the company. For example, we are in the middle of the largest fleet renewal process in our history with five new-generation ships, including two powered by cleaner hybrid LNG-electric technology.”

The Breton farming community have been Brittany Ferries’ majority shareholders since the company’s birth in 1972. Their aim at the outset was the same as it is today: to enrich the regions in which it operates, to connect people and to facilitate trade. It is this mindset that will be brought to Guernsey over the next 15 years – and is the promise for businesses and the public in Jersey.

“I should also point out that, never in our 52 year history have we abandoned a ferry line or a service to a region for lack of profitability,” the letter adds. “Our farmer-shareholders are responsible and are proud to be partners with the two major French regions of Brittany and Normandy. We are a highly-respected company and we entered this competition in good faith to continue our service to islanders.”

Jean-Marc Roué is a working farmer, as well as being chair of Brittany Ferries. Appointed in 2007 to chair the business, he is highly connected and respected in the shipping community, as well as at all levels of local government and in Paris. He was president of Armateurs de France (Chamber of Shipping equivalent) for three years, between 2017 and 2020.