BUSINESS figures have welcomed DFDS’ publication of its first timetables for services between Jersey and the south of England but a leading retailer has expressed concern about inconsistent timings on the freight/passenger link from Portsmouth.
Danish operator DFDS released the timetable for Stena Vinga, which will provide the Portsmouth link from 28 March, on Thursday, but has yet to issue a timetable for its freight-only service or any details about freight prices.
For the first five weeks of the new contract, Stena Vinga is scheduled to arrive in Jersey at times ranging between 4pm and 8.30pm, which Coop chief executive Mark Cox said could create “challenges” in distribution.
“The timings for the passenger/freight vessel change every day, and there are some days when it isn’t due to run,” he said. “It’s not quite the same level of service as before, and will add some complexity, but we recognise that DFDS has had a very short period to work on this and would hope it will improve over time.”
Mr Cox said he had been told that further details would be made available “shortly”.
The Coop has been among the organisations taking part in talks with DFDS, which was confirmed as the winner of the tender process for Jersey services on 3 December.
Chamber of Commerce vice-president Lee Madden said that the organisation had been “heavily involved” in discussions with the ferry operator since the start of January.
He said: “It is worth noting that the first draft schedules did comply with the service level agreement within their contract and that with 35% of the business [for Guernsey freight] no longer there, the potential for fewer sailings would always exist.
“DFDS has been in ‘listening mode’ and has already taken on board some of our member suggestions and added several key dates to the original draft schedule.
“We are assured there will be capacity for further additional services to this route where and when needed, and advised that we will see details for the southbound route schedules [to St Malo] next week.
“Chamber will be reviewing freight sailings in the coming days and engaging with the many businesses reliant on a consistent and regular freight schedule.”
The JEP has asked DFDS about the reasons behind the inconsistent scheduling of Stena Vinga sailings.
Both the Chamber and the operator have expressed disappointment over the lack of any fast-ferry services between Jersey and Poole across the first three weeks of the new contract, including the first 12 days of the school Easter holidays.
Passengers will be able to make online bookings by 31 January, although there is hope this date may be brought forward.
Tim Crowley, who chairs Chamber’s visitor economy committee, said: “Waiting until 31 January is not an ideal situation for customers or, crucially, for the visitor economy.
“The delay is frustrating and costly to the industry, but we also understand that DFDS is working hard to deliver a robust booking platform, having only had the ability to sign its contract with the government on 31 December.
“We would encourage DFDS, the government and Visit Jersey to focus on supporting the visitor economy sector by aligning not only their marketing and promotion resources but also their combined investment initiatives to win back those customers potentially lost because they’ve not been able to book, and we would be keen to see discounted tickets available to encourage an uplift in bookings.”
DFDS route director Chris Parker told the JEP: “The later start on the Poole route is unfortunate but we’ve got a vessel [Levante Jet] coming up from Gibraltar. We’re spending £1.5 million on its refurbishment and it takes time to do that.
“I understand there’ll be frustration, and I’m disappointed, because it would be great to start with it earlier, but we need to start with it right.
“We are playing catch-up, because ordinarily we would have liked to be on sale back in September or October, and a lot of businesses in the Island would have liked that too, so we know exactly how they feel.
Ahead of the first scheduled Poole service on 17 April, Mr Parker said the company would be providing “great connectivity” to Portsmouth.
