DFDS’ expected summer timetable announcement tomorrow is set to have massive implications for the Channel Islands sporting community.
The shipping company, based out of Denmark, assume operations from Condor, which has provided Channel Islands ferry services for 60 years, from 28 March 2025.
One person who will be keeping a keen eye on the timetable announcement is Ian Cuming.
The vice-chair of the Jersey Sports Council has long “pleaded” for the need of a long day-return trip between Jersey and Guernsey, especially at the weekends to enable affordable inter-island competition.
However, he remains unsure that the “freight-focused service” offered by DFDS and Guernsey’s chosen carrier, Brittany Ferries, “will afford this”.
“It’s become harder and harder for local sports teams and individuals to get across to either isle and compete,” Cuming said.
“I travelled to Guernsey in September for a hockey match and it was around £170 for a day return. It’s ridiculous.
“I don’t blame Blue Islands.
“They only have five aircraft and if one goes out of commission then they are struggling.
“Coming out of the pandemic, they need to be commercially successful and the endeavour financially viable.
“But that’s the cost. And if sports teams and individuals want to travel, that’s the only option.”
Cuming, like many who have lived in Jersey for a long time, remembers yesteryear with strong sea links between Jersey and Guernsey, facilitating a healthy inter-island rivalry between the Bailiwicks.
“There were outstanding ferry links between the islands,” Cuming continued.
“Years ago, we had six ferry services available.
“We had Sealink and British Channel Island Ferries every morning virtually year-round offering a complete day trip leaving at 7.30am and returning at 8.30pm.
“During the summer months, there would be a couple of hydrofoil Condors in service also.
“It was affordable and, if converted to modern money, would come out at £40 or £50, which is still reasonable and far less than what is currently available with Blue Islands by air.
“Obviously, I am banging the drum from a sports point of view, but the links enabled school trips to be far more feasible, as well as leisure trips and much more interaction between the islands.”
Many sports have suffered as a result of rising costs of transport, whether that be to Guernsey or the UK.
This is especially the case in a time where funding is at a premium, as businesses recover following the pandemic.
Sponsorships have been harder to secure and, coupled with rising operational and transport costs, many have been forced to scale back their competitive schedule overseas.
Cuming concluded: “We have seen the poor ferry links affect sport so much in recent years.
“Take swimming, for example.
“They have held inter-insulars where the swimmers are timed in their own pools in Jersey and Guernsey respectively to decide the winners.
“That’s not sport and it’s certainly not what the participants want.”
Updates to follow after the release of DFDS’ summer timetable.
