Small shipping and removals firms in Jersey have welcomed changes introduced by DFDS, saying new pricing structures have reduced costs and improved transparency.
Ross Le Bail, who owns BookMySpace and Phillips International Removals, said the Danish shipping company had noticeably reduced freight costs by introducing a flat-rate card.
The system was brought in after DFDS took over key freight routes to the UK and France last spring, replacing individually negotiated deals that had previously dominated the sector.
Under the old model, companies such as Ferryspeed had bespoke arrangements which allowed them to access relatively low shipping rates.
But Mr Le Bail said the new structure is “fair across the board”.
“They’ve had some bad press, but I have to say I’m really keen on DFDS,” he said.
“They’ve been brilliant. They’ve reduced our freight costs and given us our own online portal where we can manage bookings ourselves, with no additional fee.”
He added that as long as his company remained within its credit limit, interaction with DFDS was minimal and efficient.
“We don’t hear a peep out of them,” said Mr Le Bail.
But the rate card system has not been universally popular, with larger retailers – including Morrisons, the Channel Islands Co-operative, Sandpiper and Alliance – criticising the changes, arguing they have led to increased costs for bigger operators.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said the rate card was intended to “shine a light on a very obscure and untransparent part of Jersey’s economy”.
Mr Le Bail said other small businesses had reported similar benefits, adding that the cost was “good value”.