Channel 103 can reveal that the two high speed DFDS ferries serving Jersey next year will be the Levante Jet and Tarifa.

The Danish company has been previously been using the vessels on routes between Gibraltar and Morocco.

Jersey Route Director Chris Parker tells us how the fast ferries will be used in our waters: 

"We will operate them, one to the north and one to the south.

"For six months of the year we will have two high speed craft running (one north and one south), and then in the off-peak (season) we will use one high speed craft and will share the load, as it were.

"They are fantastic vessels, (with) space for up to 700 passengers. It's going to be really nice to see them.

"They are in the DFDS livery - they've been recently repainted, so they look beautiful and I can't wait to see them in St Helier."

Levante high speed vessel. Credit: DFDS

The Levante Jet has capacity for 675 passengers, 151 vehicles and up to 330 linear metres of cargo. 

Tarifa is slightly larger and can take more than 700 passengers and 175 vehicles. 

By comparison, Condor's high-speed boats - the Liberation and Voyager - can carry an average of 240 cars and 865 passengers. 

However, both DFDS high speed boats will be running direct crossings to the UK and France, without a Guernsey stop.

Guernsey has signed a contract with Brittany Ferries as its operator for the next 15 years. 

Earlier this week,  DFDS announced it will use the conventional ship the Stena Vinga to Portsmouth.

Chris Parker at the Channel 103 studios

The new timetable is due to be released this Friday (20th December) with bookings opening early in 2025.

Listen to Channel 103's Frankie Golding talking with Chris Parker about the new highspeed boats, recruitment plans and more on what islanders can expect from the DFDS lifeline ferry service.