A government media briefing has confirmed DFDS will run services to Portsmouth, Poole and St Malo.

Following the announcement late on Tuesday (3 December) that Jersey's Minister had chosen the Danish shipping firm DFDS to operate freight and passengers services from March 2025, the government has been explaining its decision.

Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel called the move away from Condor Ferries, after more than six decades of services, 'a big change for the island'.

“It is a change but it is a change I believe will be for the better”.

“DFDS is a large company which is able to deliver services”.

Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham described the selection process as 'thorough and independently evaluated' and said a flat rate card for freight users, which is part of the 15 year agreement, would ' provide greater certainty'.

 Ministers and DFDS boss FIlip Herman gave a media briefing earlier.

Islanders have been promised investment in vessels, including three new ferries within six years, shorter travel times to the UK and more sailings at peak times.

Filip Herman, speaking for DFDS via video link, said the firm would now be working as hard as it can to get the timetable published.

“We will do everything we can to get this up and running.”

Reporters were told that DFDS will operate to Poole, Portsmouth and St Malo, just as Condor Ferries does currently, using a dedicated fleet of four vessels  - two freight and two high speed.

Deputy Morel also gave assurance that there would be inter-islands services and that 'conversations will start soon' on services between Jersey and Guernsey.

Brittany Ferries, which was awarded the Guernsey contract in October, has so far only scheduled one midweek sailing per week to Jersey.

Condor and Brittany Ferries' CEO Christophe Mathieu

CEO Christophe Mathieu indicated to us last week that that was unlikely to change if BF did not win the Jersey contract.

"We will stick to the schedules that have been published for Guernsey because as far as Guernsey is concerned, that's the schedule they asked for and we've given them what they wanted."

BF is not making any comment today on it losing the tender.

Giving us his reaction to DFDS' appointment, Murray Norton, CEO of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce said:

"We'll be excited to see what DFDS can offer - what the government and the independent reviewers have seen in their tender offer that made them prefer them over Brittany Ferries.

" We are also mindful that Condor staff and the Condor team will be having a fairly distraught day today, and it is important that we spare a thought for them."

Asked about the added complexities for commerce of two different operators for the islands, Mr Norton said:

"For those Channel Islands businesses that would use freight into both islands that will be an added a complication, so it is a mixture of possibly some good news, and possibly some not so good news.  But until DFDS come out with their schedules, timetables and costs, we won't know."

"Inter-islands travel is the least-used of the routes. That said, it is extremely important for lots of clubs and associations and people going between the islands for either business or leisure, so it is something we need to look at have a discussion both with Brittany Ferries in Guernsey and DFDS in Jersey.

The Chief Minister told us everyone is committed to inter-islands travel:

"Brittany Ferries and DFDS have both committed to working together where possible to provide enhanced services between the islands."

Guernsey's Economic Development Committee President Deputy Neil Inder has made a statement in response to Jersey's decision, and in doing so, confirmed that the island's contract with Brittany Ferries is still yet to be signed.

‘I have consistently said that a pan-island service would be preferable but that we would respect Jersey’s decision no matter which way it went. That is still the case.

"From our perspective we are very happy to be working with Brittany Ferries and will of course work with Jersey to ensure inter-island route opportunities are fully explored.’

"Contract announcement is a WIP (work in progress) but can be expected soon.

Deputy Morel says he expects the transition of providers in Jersey to be a smooth one.

"Condor are a very professional organisation and they are contracted to the end of March, and we would expect them to carry on their services as they are at the moment, and certainly from the perspective of engaging with DFDS."