Ferry firm marks three decades of passenger route

Condor Ferries is celebrating 30 years of its passenger services, which have carried more than 14m passengers, 2.7m cars and travelled around 5.7m miles since it launched in April, 1987.

Condor has made a significant contribution to the local economy around all its ports, including Portsmouth where it operates services to Jersey and Guernsey.

It employs over 550 people on board its ferries and in its contact centre and port teams.

Paul Luxon, CEO of Condor Ferries, said: ‘We’re delighted to be marking this significant anniversary.

‘The past 30 years have seen our services expand and evolve, but what has remained constant throughout is our efforts to provide an offering which is valued by our customers and sustainable.

‘We would like to thank our customers and staff for their tremendous support over the past 30 years.

‘As ever, we will continue to work hard to develop our services, and we are looking forward to the next 30 years of sailing with great optimism and enthusiasm.’

Over the years Condor Ferries has carried much more than just passengers, their vehicles and freight. Dozens of more unusual consignments have also been transported between the UK and the Channel Islands, including a colony of penguins and an adult male gorilla destined for new homes at Jersey Zoo, a life-size model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a full-sized working replica of a WWII tank.

Famous faces who have chosen to travel with Condor in the past 30 years include Nigel Mansell, Martin Clunes and Tony Robinson, as well as Superman himself, Henry Cavill. The Teletubbies and Pudsey Bear have made special appearances too.