ADJUSTMENTS to DFDS’s sailing schedule intended to support freight capacity over the coming weeks have been welcomed by the Economic Development Minister.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said the changes showed the Danish shipping firm’s “commitment to Jersey and the seriousness with which they take their role in supplying the Island”.
DFDS yesterday stated that from 17 February, Tuesday sailings between Portsmouth and Jersey with its passenger and freight vessel Stena Vinga – which the ferry operator had previously announced would be suspended until 7 April – will be reinstated, “providing six additional rotations during this period”.
As part of the revised schedule, Saturday Stena Vinga sailings will be withdrawn on 28 February, 7 March, 14 March and 21 March.
“During this period, DFDS will continue to operate two freight arrivals per day from Monday to Friday, and the Caesarea Trader will continue to provide its usual Saturday morning freight service,” the statement continued.
It added that customers booked on the affected Saturday sailings will be automatically transferred to the Friday service and will be contacted directly with further information.
From 22 March, the service will return to a six-day-a-week schedule, operating from Monday to Saturday.
Reacting to the announcement, Deputy Morel said: “It’s good to see DFDS adjust their plans when they’ve received critical feedback from key stakeholders.”
He continued: “This shows the level of their commitment to Jersey and the seriousness with which they take their role in supplying the Island.
“It also shows how the contract and relationship work well to bring strength and stability to Jersey’s previously vulnerable ferry services.”
And in a statement yesterday, the Jersey Farmers Union said it “would like to clarify that we are happy with the freight service provided”, citing “the timely responses of both DFDS and government” to concerns it had raised earlier this year amid a review by the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel.
“We are particularly happy to note that, in response to agricultural and other stakeholder
feedback, positive steps have been taken towards additional freight sailing to and from
Guernsey which are anticipated from the spring,” the statement continued.
“These services would help facilitate important fresh produce trade between the Channel Islands.”
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will be part of a newly-established ‘freight forum’, which it said would “bring together key stakeholders to focus on practical solutions, long term resilience and collaborative working across Jersey’s freight and supply chain”.
