DFDS has announced plans to improve its inter-island ferry services – but they will not be of any use for Guernsey residents.
The extra sailings would see a car ferry arriving from Jersey on a Friday evening. This would not return to Jersey but proceed to Portsmouth as part of a triangular route. A ferry from Portsmouth would then stop in Guernsey en route to Jersey on a Monday evening, allowing cars and passengers to return.
Jersey’s licensed ferry operator said it was making the move to benefit inter-island sport.
Jersey’s Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel revealed the plan this week in answer to questions from a Scrutiny panel, which is looking into the 20-year concession agreement signed with the Danish ferry firm last year.
Deputy Morel said the proposed sailings would still require the green light from Guernsey.
Economic Development Committee president Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said yesterday that she was aware of discussions that civil servants have had with DFDS on this matter as the ferry company was part of its new inter-island ferry working group, but nothing formal had been presented to the committee.
‘Obviously we’re very keen for there to be an additional rotation, but we just need to make sure it’s serving both Guernsey travellers and Jersey travellers,’ she said.
‘I don’t know yet the details of what exactly they’re proposing to be able to comment, but obviously we would welcome any improvement in inter-island connectivity.’
Jersey politicians have previously criticised the DFDS timetable for a lack of inter-island connectivity, especially as it had made it far harder for people in Jersey competing in motorsports, equestrian events and other sports needing vehicles to make the trip to Guernsey, particularly over weekends. Guernsey sports, and particularly dog owners wanting to get to Jersey for competitive dog shows, have also complained at the lack of a weekend ferry link.
At the Economic and Internal affairs panel hearing in Jersey, Deputy Morel defended DFDS, saying the government now had a close working relationship with the ferry company, though he identified inter-island services as ‘inadequate’.
If approved, DFDS plans to start the extra sailings with the vessel Stena Vinga this spring. Brittany Ferries also currently sails between the islands on Wednesdays, and the foot passenger-only Islands Unlimited ferry is due to resume daily services in March.
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