DFDS is now “largely compliant” with the standards of service set out in its agreement with the Government, a panel of politicians has been told.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel – who last year co-signed a deal giving DFDS 20 years of exclusive access to the Harbour’s vehicle ramps – said that the relationship was far more open and collaborative than it had been with Condor.
A quarterly meeting was held between the ferry operator, officials and Ports of Jersey, he said, and performance data was now published online, helping government and the public to hold DFDS to account.
Deputy Morel’s chief officer, Richard Corrigan, also told the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel this week that Jersey was sometimes prone to cancellations and delays – due to, among other things, the tidal nature and positioning of the port, which prohibited berthing in winds over 35 knots – but that DFDS’s schedule was “fundamentally now largely compliant for passengers and freight”.
“We are now in a position in 2026 that we have an operator that is providing the level of punctuality, resilience and reliability that we are seeking,” he said. “We monitor that closely and it is the public domain to promote public confidence.”
Looking at specific areas of improvement that had occurred over the past ten months, since DFDS took over, Deputy Morel and Mr Corrigan referred to the replacement of the Arrow freight ship with the Caesarea Trader, a joint effort to market the Island to France to replace passengers who had taken advantage of new daily direct sailings between St Malo and St Peter Port, DFDS having taken on more staff in Portsmouth to speed up freight loading and unloading, and the ferry firm having a “properly manned office” at the Harbour and a proactive call centre.
Talking about DFDS’s schedule, Deputy Morel told the panel that the operator’s current 7.30am allocated departure from St Malo to Jersey was the ‘sweet spot’ time for both French day-trippers and Islanders on their return journeys, and the slower speed – around a 30-minute difference in sailing time – between the ports compared to the previous operator, was to save fuel, reduce emissions, and greater protect the ship’s engines.
Meanwhile, various individuals and organisations have submitted their views to the panel, ahead of a backbench report into signing of the concession agreement.
The Jersey Hospitality Association said: “While the tender process itself presented serious challenges, the industry is now in a more stable position due to collaboration, engagement and practical problem solving.”
Elsewhere, the Jersey Consumer Council said: “Broadly speaking, Council members think DFDS has been about as reliable as Condor Ferries – certainly no worse. There doesn’t seem to have been any noticeable increase in avoidable, non-weather-related disruption.”
It added: “The Council feel that it remains yet to be seen whether the DFDS contract has lived up to what was promised – not necessarily through any fault on their part.
“When they were announced to be taking over Jersey’s sea routes, Islanders were told that ‘a partnership with DFDS will deliver new investment, including new high-speed vessels, more sailings in peak periods and a reliable and resilient service for Islanders, visitors and businesses’. This has yet to be delivered.”