It's been confirmed that Condor Ferries will be rebranded from next year as its majority shareholder Brittany Ferries.

This is according to Brittany Ferries CEO Christophe Mathieu, who confirmed to Island FM and Channel 103, that the operator's name and its vessels from next year will be changed to reflect its parent company. 

He told us: "We are fully committed to support our subsidiaries. What used to be Condor will soon become Brittany Ferries Channel Islands."

Christophe told us this rebrand will happen regardless of whether Jersey chooses the company for its ferry contract, of which a decision is expected next week. 

The boss also told us this was asked of him by both Guernsey's Economic Development Committee President Neil Inder and Jersey's Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel:

"It will be Brittany Ferries, solo. That was a request from both islands."

Condor Ferries, which became majority owned by Brittany Ferries in September, has roots going back decades in Guernsey. 

Christophe did stress that the name change does not reflect on Condor's staff: “The people in Condor are doing a great job. The staff are very welcoming so in a way it’s a shame. But it’s not a sign that people in Condor are not doing their job properly."

"There was though, a liability around the brand in the islands, not a reflection of the people (the staff) but the past owners."

He continued: "Because of that history, we are happy to bring the Brittany Ferries brand."

Various Condor vessels

Christophe Mathieu also confirmed that the Goodwill and Liberation Vessels could be sold if the company is not successful in winning the Jersey contract.

He said: "They're very likely to be sold somewhere else."

However if Brittany wins both islands, this will be enough to make the boss reconsider: "If we are getting Jersey contract, we absolutely must operate those ships."

Christophe also addressed concerns regarding Guernsey's new ferry timetable, which currently only offers one sailing between Guernsey and Jersey a week on a Wednesday. 

Frequent travellers and sporting bodies have expressed worry that this will not be enough.

He confirmed if Jersey chooses Brittany Ferries, more inter-islands route could be expected: 

"Guernsey have been very clear that if we win both islands, Deputy Inder is happy to let's day, revert back to the schedule as we know it.

"However if we were not to be chosen, we will stick to the schedules that have been published for Guernsey because as far as Guernsey is concerned, that's the schedule they asked for and we've given them what they wanted."