DFDS confirms interest in Jersey only service

DFDS has confirmed its interest in the new tender process announced by the Government of Jersey for a Jersey-only ferry service.

It said it was ready to provide ferry services to Jersey from 25 March 2025, should the company be awarded the contract.

DFDS managers are in the island this week to discuss the new tender with local stakeholders after a joint tender process with Guernsey failed.

The firm said Jersey authorities had asked it to gather expressions of interest from tour operators for what sailings they would like in the summer, which would be given to the eventual winner of the contract.

Scrutiny leader Deputy Montfort Tadier said his panel would go through what had happened very carefully once the process was over.

Filip Hermann, VP BU Channel & Baltics for DFDS, said: "We understand the importance of a safe, reliable and efficient ferry service for islanders and businesses in Jersey, and we are confident in our ability to deliver this service.

"As outlined in our initial proposal, for which we are yet to receive clarifications regarding the reasons for our disqualification, we will utilize vessels from our fleet and leverage our extensive experience from other routes in our network.

"We are fully prepared and capable of taking over the ferry service if we are awarded the tender, and we are looking forward to working with all stakeholders."

DFDS said it had engaged in discussions with the Government of Jersey and the States of Guernsey in the past months to prepare for contingency operations and preserve freight lifeline and passenger service for the islanders, should the current operator fail to deliver before March 2025.

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