DFDS has been selected to provide ferry life-line freight and passenger services to Jersey.
European ferry operator DFDS has signed a 20-year contract with the government of Jersey to operate ferry services between Jersey and the UK and France, starting 28 March 2025. The new service will include routes from Jersey to Poole and Portsmouth in the UK, and Saint-Malo in France.
Under the terms of the contract, DFDS has committed to increase the frequency of ferries to address high demand in peak periods, introducing high-speed ferries to the UK and investing in three new vessels by 2032.
“We are excited to embark on this journey with Jersey and the local community. The life-line ferry service is a vital link for the island, and we are fully committed to delivering reliability and an enhanced travel and transport experience for islanders, businesses and visitors. We look forward to building a strong partnership with Jersey and serving the community,” says Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS.
DFDS’ Jersey fleet will comprise one Ro-Pax vessel, two high-speed crafts, and a dedicated freight vessel to meet the diverse needs of the island, and support tourism and the hospitality sector in Jersey as well as in France and the UK with frequent sailings.
“Tourism and hospitality are important parts of the local economy. We will support connectivity with short travel time and meet demand with the right frequency of ferries, and providing freight capacity, enabling islanders to travel off-island and attracting more visitors to Jersey, and thereby support tourism in the region,” says Filip Hermann, VP BU Channel & Baltics at DFDS.
“I’m delighted we have signed a contract with DFDS which will enable us to provide the best possible ferry services for Islanders for the next 20 years,” Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, said.
With the new contract, DFDS reinforces its presence in the English Channel, where DFDS already operates two routes between Dover, Calais and Dunkirk and a route between Newhaven and Dieppe. The specific details regarding DFDS’s plans for services, the schedule and the vessels will be provided within the next two weeks.
For more info on DFDS, visit https://www.dfds.com/en/freight-ferries-and-logistics