A DECISION by DFDS to redirect one of its ships to enable inter-island travel for the Muratti could come at a cost to supermarkets due to the disruption of freight supplies, the Chamber of Commerce has warned.
Chamber chief executive Murray Norton made the comments after the Danish shipping firm altered its schedule to enable a “one-off return trip” between the islands on 17 May to help football fans watch the women’s and men’s Muratti Vase finals.
Responding to what it described as “overwhelming demand to travel to Guernsey”, DFDS has cancelled two sailings on its Portsmouth route – served by its Stena Vinga freight and passenger ship – and delayed another by an hour, to make room for the “special sailing”.
Mr Norton said: “While it is understandable that there is a benefit to providing for the community to enjoy sporting and cultural events, it has to be acknowledged that this will come to some cost and disruption to our freight supplies, because the Stena Vinga is being redirected between Jersey and Guernsey for the Muratti”.
The Chamber’s concerns come not long after the Coop thanked members and customers for their “patience and understanding”, as it attempted to resolve stock supply issues to local stores following a cyber attack in the UK.
DFDS route director for Jersey, Chris Parker, said: “We apologise for the inconvenience caused by our schedule update and will be making sure all customers have been contacted and offered assistance if it is required.
“The Muratti is an important occasion for the islands and we are proud to be supporting it with this special return sailing.”
