Ferry operator DFDS has hit back at claims that postal delays were due to a “withdrawn” ferry service, insisting that it continues to meet the government’s requirements by operating an overnight freight service six days a week.
It comes after Jersey Post announced that mail sent to and from Jersey on a Tuesday would be delayed by 24 hours, as a result of DFDS “withdrawing” the Tuesday evening sailing to the UK.
In a now-deleted post on Facebook, the postal firm wrote: “As a result of DFDS withdrawing the Tuesday evening ferry service, mail arriving and leaving the island on a Tuesday will be delayed by 24 hours.
“This is expected to continue until the service is reinstated on 7 April.”
In a response, a DFDS spokesperson said: “DFDS continues to meet the requirements of its agreement with the Government of Jersey by operating a primary overnight freight service through Caesarea Trader which arrives in the island early each morning, six days a week.
“There has been no reduction in Jersey’s overnight freight provision.”
The spokesperson explained that DFDS had cancelled the passenger ferry Stena Vinga to and from Portsmouth on Tuesdays “during the low winter period, when passenger demand is reduced”. This would last until April, they added.
The ferry firm is trying to prioritise urgent loads on the freight ship Caesarea Trader.