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WQ.284/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
BY DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 16th JUNE 2025
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 23rd JUNE 2025
Question
"Further to the cancellations of the DFDS sailing between Jersey and Portsmouth on 16th May 2025, and the sailing between Portsmouth and Jersey on 17th May 2025, will the Minister –
- advise whether the Government was informed how many passengers were booked on these two sailings, when the passengers were informed of the cancellation, and what compensation, if any, the passengers were given and, if so, provide that information;
- whether the Government was informed how much freight and how many freight vehicles were booked on these two sailings and, if so, provide that information;
- state what instructions or suggestions, if any, the Government made to DFDS in relation to cancelling a scheduled service in order to operate an ad hoc service to Guernsey;
- state whether DFDS gave the Minister notice of the intention to cancel these services and, if so, when; and
- explain what consideration, if any, has been given to the reputational damage of these cancellations?"
Answer
The schedule alteration was a one-off to accommodate Jersey supporters attending the Muratti Cup in Guernsey. GOJ requested DFDS examine options for inter-island connectivity around the event, recognising the unique cultural importance of the event and DFDS's status as Jersey's new ferry operator.
Our new Operating Agreement has secured a dedicated daily (6 days p/w) freight service using the Arrow which is complemented by the combined passenger and freight schedule of Stena Vinga. This has ensured the continuation of regular evening freight deliveries. On the dates in question, Saturday 17 May 2025, the ARROW sailings were unchanged. The STENA VINGA sailings either side of Saturday 17 May 2025 were also unchanged.
Retailers regularly adapt to weather related cancellations at short notice. On this occasion retailers had a week's notice of a single rotation being cancelled. GOJ was sighted on representations from only one supermarket retailer protesting the single schedule change.
DFDS explored other options, rather than using the Stena Vinga but these were not possible because: The Levante Jet (fast ferry to Poole) – is not interoperable with Guernsey's harbour ramp.
The Tarifa Jet (fast ferry to France) – was heavily subscribed with Islanders and visitors and a cancellation to this route would have left Islanders stranded over the weekend.
The Government does not hold data on the number of passengers or vehicles booked on the cancelled sailings. All affected passengers were contacted between the 8th and 13th May and informed of changes to their bookings and all impacted passengers were offered alternative sailings or refunds by DFDS.
Lastly, the question references considerations of the reputational impacts on the change. I would reflect that This year marked 120 years since the first Inter-Island Murratti, an event which has only ever been cancelled by the World Wars and COVID. I believe the reputational impact of not facilitating a milestone of this type for islanders would have been great, indeed.