Jersey’s selection of ferry operator draws islander responses

Residents of Jersey are expressing their views following the announcement that DFDS has been chosen to operate the island’s ferry services for the upcoming 15-year period. This choice signifies that Jersey and Guernsey will utilize distinct ferry companies, a situation not seen in several decades. Nick Harrison, a plasterer, stated his satisfaction that Jersey had “finally made a decision,” though he noted that “time would tell” if it was the correct choice. Mr. Harrison expressed a desire for a “better and more frequent service, with better arrival times to the UK,” citing that existing services frequently arrive late at night. He remarked, “It’s going to be interesting to see how it works inter-island.” He added, “It can’t be much worse than what we’ve had – let’s hope they speed things up.” Mr. Harrison also indicated that any increase in freight prices would necessitate him transferring these expenses to his clients through higher rates. Janette Crowder conveyed her uncertainty regarding Jersey’s decision to select a different company from Guernsey. She speculated, “Maybe there’s a reason for it. Maybe they wanted a better service.” She further mentioned being “hopeful” that the DFDS timetable, scheduled for release next week, would enhance the convenience of travel to France. “There’s no point in going to France [at the moment], because the times don’t work,” she stated. She noted that she previously traveled to England frequently by car but now uses the ferry only occasionally. Nevertheless, she expressed a wish to visit her daughter, a student, more often if car ferry services to the UK were to improve. Peter McVeigh commented that Condor had served as a “decent incumbent,” but he suspected DFDS possessed a “stronger balance sheet with a bigger and more modern fleet.” He added, “If there is a time for change DFDS seem like a suitable company.” He expressed no concern about Jersey and Guernsey selecting different operators or the specific UK ferry ports they would utilize. Mr. McVeigh remarked that DFDS operating from Poole, Southampton, or Portsmouth represented “shades of the same thing,” given that most drivers would still need to access a motorway. He noted, “They both say they can undertake the contracts they’ve been given.” Despite his prior satisfaction with Condor, he stated that the “new ferry, The Islander,” was 25 years old and had previously been deployed on a heavy-duty route, leading him to be “inclined to see what DFDS can supply to us.” Richard Allan, who travels to France biannually, expressed that he was “glad to see things are up and running” and anticipated booking tickets for his upcoming trip. Mr. Allan mentioned having “no issues with Condor” but was pleased that the contract had been finalized. John Holmes voiced concern that increasing freight expenses could indirectly impact house prices. Mr. Holmes stated, “The freight charges are going up all the time for builders and people like that.” He added, “It could make property prices go up, if the materials are going up and the cost of building is going up as well.” He indicated that he does not frequently use the ferry but believes “if it’s going to be faster and better it will be a good idea.” Malcolm Jenkins suggested that Jersey might find itself in a favorable position in the future should Brittany Ferries encounter financial challenges or prove unable to operate routes cost-effectively. He further speculated that Guernsey “might be joining in” and utilizing DFDS within a few years “if they [Brittany Ferries] go pop.”