Ferry shock as Jersey gives DFDS 20 years
Chances of Guernsey and Jersey ever working again on joint Channel Island ferry arrangements appear slim after Jersey’s government pulled a shock on New Year’s Eve and announced it had signed a 20-year deal with Danish firm DFDS.
It was expected that the Jersey-only contract would run for 15 years from the end of March this year, as Guernsey’s agreement with Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries is set to do.
But four weeks after awarding the contract, Jersey announced that it had signed with DFDS to provide passenger and freight services to and from the island for 20 years.
‘I’m delighted we have signed a contract with DFDS which will enable us to provide the best possible ferry services for islanders for the next 20 years,’ said Deputy Kirsten Morel, the minister for Sustainable Economic Development.
DFDS has committed to greater frequency of ferries to the UK and France at peak times of the year, faster ferries and investing in three new ferries by 2032.
But it still has published no confirmed timetables, only an indicative one, and has made no reference to inter-island services. It said it was still in discussions with the operating ports of St Malo, Poole and Portsmouth.
With Brittany Ferries so far offering one Wednesday rotation only in its timetable, other operators have also expressed an interest, including the French operator Manche-Iles Express, which this summer is being subsidised by the Guernsey, Jersey and Sark governments.
At the beginning of last year both islands committed to a joint process but that fell apart after Guernsey announced Brittany Ferries as its chosen operator, which Jersey would not do, before it started its own, separate tender process in November, which was understood to be a 15-year offer.
Brittany Ferries has sought leave to challenge the process through Jersey’s courts and that case continues later this month.
