Jersey’s business community has called for “urgent action” on ferry-freight pricing, warning that costs are being “borne by businesses and ultimately passed on to consumers”.
The Jersey Chamber of Commerce backed the key findings of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel’s report into the Ferry Service Concession Agreement, saying it closely reflects issues raised by its members.
Published last month, the review of the island’s ferry contract with DFDS found that a new charging structure for freight has driven up prices on the shelves by 2% and not 0.4% as the government predicted.
Chamber said the report “directly mirrors the experience reported by retailers, logistics operators and suppliers”, reflecting concerns that the pricing structure is fuelling inflationary pressures.
“In particular, Chamber supports the panel’s conclusions on flat-rate freight pricing, which confirm that the new pricing model has not delivered the lower costs anticipated for consumers and has instead contributed to increased cost pressures across the supply chain,” it said in a statement.
The organisation warned that higher freight charges are being “borne by businesses and ultimately passed on to consumers”, placing further strain on households.
Chamber welcomed the panel’s recommendation for an independent review of the pricing structure, describing it as “long overdue”.
The industry body criticised how the policy was introduced, highlighting what it called a “lack of meaningful consultation with business” before key decisions were made.
“The panel explicitly recognises that earlier engagement with freight users and industry experts could have identified many of the impacts now being felt across Jersey’s economy,” said Chamber.
The organisation said the findings provide “clear, evidence-based validation” of concerns raised since the new ferry concession began, and urged ministers not to delay.
“Chamber now looks forward to a constructive response from government and to tangible action being taken to address freight-pricing impacts, improve consultation and ensure that Jersey’s ferry services support – rather than undermine – the island’s economic resilience and cost of living objectives,” the statement said.
Responding to the panel’s findings last month, DFDS said: “We recognise that the first year did not meet everyone’s expectations, particularly during the early mobilisation period.
“What matters is the action taken since. We have strengthened operational planning, refined timetables using real travel data, invested in onboard comfort and accessibility, and improved communication when disruption occurs.
“Scrutiny is an important part of accountability. Our priority for 2026 is clear: reliable sailings, fair pricing and a better overall journey experience.”