The Solidor 5 is in dry dock

Condor took over the licence from troubled ferry firm Emeraude Lines after Emeraude said its vessel, the Solidor 5, was in dry dock and there was no boat to replace it.

Condor successfully applied to run services between the island and St Malo to fill the gap.

But it has also been given permission by the Harbours and Airport Committee to keep going after the Solidor 5 is back in operation.

We know it is going to be hard Steve Bailey, Condor

Previously only Emeraude Lines was permitted to carry cars and passengers to St Malo direct from Jersey, although Condor has been running a service via Guernsey.

Condor's Jersey manager, Steve Bailey said his company was prepared to make a loss on the route, which Emeraude says is least profitable in January.

He said: "We know it is going to be hard. Numbers do fall off at that time of year, but not withstanding that, there are a number of people in our industry such as tour operators who run ski trips who have a need to travel.

"We recognise that so we will be working hard to get as many people travelling as we can."

Emeraude was given three months to restructure by a French court in October after revealing it was heavily in debt.