DFDS commenced its Jersey sailings at the end of March last year, three months after signing a 20-year contract to operate the island’s ferry services to the UK and France.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel has previously acknowledged that the ferry operator was forced into a “very ambitious” timescale, following the breakdown of what was initially a joint procurement process with Guernsey.
But how did the Danish shipping firm’s Jersey operations perform in 2025?
Express takes a look at some of the figures revealed by DFDS’s latest annual report…
“Below expectations”
Commenting on the Jersey sailings, the report notes the operation of three routes – calling four ports and deploying four ferries – with ticket sales initiated within 24 days of the contract being signed.
There were more than 110,000 tickets sold by the end of the year.
However, the report highlights that: “The launch of Jersey ferry services end of March
2025 was completed within a shortened timeframe following several changes in the tender process.”
It continued: “Route operations were launched in a timely manner but at extra cost to procure the required tonnage as well as commercial and operational teething issues.”
It described the financial result for the first year as “below expectations”.
The report also cites the introduction of the Jersey routes as one the factors that impacted its ferry division’s revenue, which fell last year by 4.8% – with a drop in its EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes ) of 48.1%.
“The majority of the EBIT decrease was due to a lower result for the Mediterranean business unit, higher operating costs, a net negative impact from route changes, including the launch of the Jersey ferry services, and redundancy costs,” it states.
However, DFDS recently announced that it has seen “a strong increase” in demand for its Jersey sailings, with more than 80,000 passengers so far booked to travel to and from the island this year.
The update came after Ports of Jersey released information highlighting improved travel figures seen at the airport and harbour last month, including a rise in passenger numbers to and from St Malo – which were up 31% in January against the same period last year.
DFDS route director for Jersey Chris Parker pointed to “a very positive forward booking position for the summer”, which he said “gives us confidence in the continued strength of demand for travel to and from the island”.