Brittany Ferries is poised to become the majority owner of Condor Ferries, pending regulatory approval.
- The acquisition will see Brittany Ferries’ stake in Condor Ferries rise to 51% from the current 29%.
- Brittany Ferries aims to leverage its expertise to improve services for Condor Ferries’ passengers.
- The leadership of both companies express commitment to maintaining quality and customer focus.
- Industry observers anticipate enhanced customer experience as a result of the strategic move.
Brittany Ferries is on track to expand its stake in Condor Ferries to 51%, marking a significant development in the shipping industry. This strategic move is subject to approval from the regulatory authorities of the Channel Islands and is anticipated to take place in the coming weeks. Condor Ferries, which operates routes between the UK and the Channel Islands as well as St Malo in France, was previously acquired in 2019 by a consortium including Brittany Ferries and Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund.
Once approved, this deal will see Brittany Ferries increase its holding from an existing 29% to a majority share, while Columbia Threadneedle will maintain a minority position. Christophe Mathieu, the CEO of both Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries, stated, “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.” He emphasized that Brittany Ferries has the expertise and scale needed to enhance service delivery for Condor’s passengers.
The leadership of Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries is confident that this ownership change will lead to improvements in passenger services. Brittany Ferries brings extensive knowledge and best practices from the transport sector, which are expected to lead to a better customer experience. This strategic alignment is poised to deliver long-term resilience and continuity, further cementing the companies’ commitment to the Channel Islands.
Both companies are also actively participating in bids to operate ferry services within the Channel Islands, asserting they possess the appropriate fleet mix for the region. Mathieu further elaborated on the fleet’s capabilities, highlighting the combination of conventional and high-speed vessels designed for freight and passenger services, which support both local communities and visitor economies in Jersey and Guernsey.
Justin Amey, head of sales and marketing at Condor Ferries, assured stakeholders that Condor’s mission to offer high-quality service remains unchanged despite the impending ownership restructure. With recent improvements like the introduction of the Condor Islander in 2023 and pet-friendly cabins on Commodore Clipper, Condor Ferries continues to prioritise customer needs. Demand for domestic and flight-free travel is on the rise, and the partnership between Brittany and Condor is expected to strengthen service offerings.
Brittany Ferries’ acquisition of a majority stake in Condor Ferries is a strategic step toward enhancing ferry services in the Channel Islands.
