DFDS’s freight and passenger vessel Stena Vinga is en route to Jersey – after being stuck in Falmouth due to “adverse weather conditions” following completion of its annual dry dock programme – and is expected to resume her normal schedule this evening.
The Danish shipping firm also said that, to support freight deliveries into the island, Côte d’Albâtre – which was brought in as a relief ship over Easter – will arrive in Portsmouth this evening to operate an additional service to Jersey.
A passenger sailing to the island from Poole with fast ferry Levante Jet was also due to be provided at lunchtime today as DFDS looks to minimise recent disruption to its schedule, which has included the cancellation of a number of Portsmouth crossings.
The update comes as the ferry operator, which started operating sailings between the island, the UK and France in March 2025, continues to face scrutiny over its performance.
In November, outgoing DFDS chief executive Torben Carlsen acknowledged that the start-up of the company’s Jersey operations had “proven harder than expected”, due to “a very short timeline” in the wake of changes to the tender process.
Officers are in close and regular contact with DFDS to support the shared goal of delivering reliable sea connectivity for Jersey, with a clear expectation that service standards must improve
chief minister Lyndon Farnham
Responding to a written question from Deputy Montfort Tadier, Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham has said that feedback from local organisations and the public “indicates that there are ongoing areas of dissatisfaction with aspects of the service provided by DFDS”.
“While services are operating, it is clear that performance in some areas has not consistently met the standards expected by ferry users,” he added.
Deputy Farnham also said that the government had “made clear” to the ferry operator “that improvements are required in a number of areas”, including concern over pricing, freight handling processes, sailing times and timetables.
“Conversations between the Government and DFDS, which underpin continuous improvements, are ongoing,” he added.
The Chief Minister also noted “significant challenges”, including the recent incidents with both the Caesarea Trader and Tarifa Jet vessels.
“In these instances, government’s role is to ensure that the operator implements its contingency arrangements fully, thereby minimising disruption for passengers and freight,” Deputy Farnham continued.
“The concession agreement provides a mechanism for the Government, Ports of Jersey and DFDS to work together on continuous improvement, or to address substantive non-compliance, should it occur.
“In addition, officers are in close and regular contact with DFDS to support the shared goal of delivering reliable sea connectivity for Jersey, with a clear expectation that service standards must improve.”