I suspect that any operator will have to pay lip service to new build, the strategic objectives include environmental sustainability. Note that passenger services are essential as well. The contract appears to be for 15 years from March 2025 to February 2040.
The summary document says:-
Provision of Freight and Passenger Ferry Services in the Channel Islands
78000000 - Transportation and Storage and Mail Services
Description
Current ferry services connect the Channel Islands with each other, the United Kingdom and France through a combination of conventional and high-speed ferries carrying freight, vehicles and passengers.
As islands, for Guernsey and Jersey the provision of ferry services is critical for freight and passenger access. Ferry services therefore touch on every sector of the island’s economy and wider life. Supply chain resilience is a key priority with for example 95% of Jersey’s goods delivered by sea, which makes this project of critical importance and the routes are considered part of the island’s critical national infrastructure (“CNI”).
Key Strategic Objectives
(a) Secures strategic investment in the fleet and services commensurate with the resilience requirements on lifeline routes and changing passenger and environmental needs.
(b) Provides capacity to deliver growth in passenger volumes and to accommodate projected growth in freight volumes.
(c) Enhances service continuity, resilience and reliability of the ferry services.
(d) Increases the quality and value for money of passenger services with focus placed upon the total passenger experience.
(e) Prioritises environmental sustainability, with future fleet arrangements supporting Jersey and Guernsey’s carbon-neutral objectives and complies with MARPOL obligations.
(f) Improves efficiency and financial sustainability of the operations.
(g) Provides optimal Social Value.
Source -
https://procontract.due-north.com/Adver ... 5056b64545