Essential supplies ship leaves Jersey's harbour after French fishermen blockade

An essential supplies ship has left Jersey's harbour after it was held up by French fishing boats.

The Commodore Goodwill was delayed by over four hours when a flotilla of around 70 French fishing boats blockaded the island's main harbour.

She arrived in St Helier at 4:30am this morning (6 May) and unloaded cargo as usual, leaving the port nearly seven hours later once they felt it was safe to do so.

The ship's operator Condor Ferries has confirmed there will be no impact to the freight supply chain, which brings 95% of essential food, medical and other goods into the Channel Islands.

Its schedule has been rearranged to allow for the delay.

• French fishermen blockade Jersey's main harbour

• Jersey's government meet French fishing leaders to try and resolve harbour blockade

Condor Ferries' Operations Director Elwyn Dop says the company expects their freight and passenger vessel, Commodore Clipper, to run as normal from Portsmouth and Guernsey to Jersey this afternoon (6 May).

• Navy ships sent to Jersey as French fishermen plan to blockade harbour

• Normandy cuts ties with Jersey due to row over new fishing licences