The Economic Development Minister has agreed to publish an “appropriately redacted version” of the concession agreement – which sets out the terms for ferry freight and passenger services – between operator DFDS and the Government.

It comes after the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel last week wrote to Deputy Kirsten Morel to request that the contract by made “publicly available” following public and political concerns about the service being provided by DFDS.

A copy of the agreement was provided to the panel on a confidential basis in March but chair Deputy Montfort Tadier said that the growing public interest warranted its full release.

He said: “There is a high level of interest and scrutiny around the service being provided by DFDS at the moment, especially as the company has the monopoly on the route.

“Greater transparency about what has been agreed between Jersey’s Government and DFDS would allow the public to know what they can expect in terms of service levels when it comes to both freight and passenger journeys over the next 20 years.”

I have instructed my officers to work with DFDS to prepare a summary and appropriately redacted version of the concession agreement which will be published in due course

economic development minister kirsten morel

The Economic Development Minister has now responded to this request.

Deputy Morel explained: “Unlike the previous operating agreement, which was limited in its scope, the new concession agreement contains a number of commercial levers, a performance bond, and a marketing and sales strategy which the operator is required to deliver at its own expense.

“These provisions, which the panel has had the opportunity to review, are commercially sensitive and could, if published in full, prejudice the commercial interests of both DFDS and Jersey.

“The panel will also appreciate that DFDS have made a number of concessions, including the performance bond which, if disclosed publicly, could undermine the company’s ability to negotiate contracts with other jurisdictions in the future.”

But he added: “I recognise the public interest in this subject and have therefore instructed my officers to work with DFDS to prepare a summary and appropriately redacted version of the concession agreement which will be published in due course.”

The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel is due to publicly question Deputy Morel at a quarterly Scrutiny hearing on Thursday 25 September.

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