SPORTS groups, equestrians and motorists could miss out on competing in Guernsey, the Economic Development Minister has said, after plans for DFDS to operate an inter-island ferry service were rejected by Sarnian politicians.
Deputy Kirsten Morel said that he “really feels” for Channel Islanders “who are being denied” the service.
Last week, a proposal by the ferry operator’s to run a regular service between the islands using its Stena Vinga vessel was turned down by Guernsey’s Economic Development Committee. The proposal would have seen the ferry arrive in Guernsey from Jersey on Friday evenings, returning late on Monday afternoons.
Deputy Morel said the most-affected groups would be those taking part in inter-insular competition and that it would make it particularly difficult for those transporting horses or cars between the islands.
He added that the decision taken by Guernsey’s Economic Development Committee came as a “surprise to him”, as while it was DFDS who submitted the proposal, he had been “in conversations” with Guernsey politicians and had “hoped they would accept it”.
He added that in his view it “felt like a political decision” that does not make sense as he said it was “in Guernsey’s own interest” to accept the proposal.
“This is unusual in itself”, he said as if someone requested to use a ramp at a harbour in Jersey, “a politician wouldn’t determine who accesses it”, unlike how it’s been handled in Guernsey.
In a statement, the Guernsey’s Economic Development Committee said it had carried out “careful and detailed consideration” of the plans, including discussions with Guernsey Ports and Customs and Immigration, as well as an assessment of legal, operational and market impacts.
A key concern was the timing of sailings. Most Friday evening arrivals would fall outside standard operating hours, creating knock-on pressures for port services and potentially affecting weekend freight and passenger operations.
There were also doubts about whether the service could be reliably delivered. The committee noted concerns over the availability of the Stena Vinga, amid reports that the vessel would require maintenance during the proposed operating period.
The proposal was also judged to be at odds with a political agreement reached with the Government of Jersey in 2025. That commitment centred on a “reciprocal model” of ferry services — effectively a balanced, two-way weekly connection between the islands.
