THE government has signed a contract on New Year’s Eve with Danish firm DFDS to run Jersey’s ferry services from March.
The 20-year contract for passenger and freight will include routes from the Island to Poole, Portsmouth and St Malo.
The government said DFDS had committed to “greater frequency” of ferries to the UK and France “in peak periods” and investing in three new ferries by 2032.
The Danish shipping giant has announced a “provisional” timetable and unveiled two fast ferries and a freight vessel that will run Jersey routes.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said: “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.”
The signing of the contract comes as Brittany Ferries takes legal action against the government after losing the Jersey bid. The French ferry firm claims the procurement process was unfair but the government has said it will “robustly defend” its conduct when further court hearings take place in the new year.
