Chief Minister Expresses Disappointment Over Ferry Links

Jersey’s chief minister has said he is still unhappy with the standard of inter-island ferry connections, despite improvements made by the operator now running the island’s sea routes.

Deputy Lyndon Farnham said ferry firm DFDS had made progress since taking over Jersey’s passenger and freight services earlier this year, but added that the company had yet to fully meet expectations.

The Danish operator was awarded a 20-year contract in December 2024 to run routes linking Jersey with the UK and France, and formally assumed responsibility for the services in March 2025.

Speaking on BBC Radio Jersey, Farnham said continued pressure was needed to ensure better delivery, particularly when it came to travel between Jersey and Guernsey.

He said he would like to see faster sailings to St Malo and greater cooperation between DFDS and Brittany Ferries to provide more reliable inter-island services. He also expressed frustration with Brittany Ferries, which was selected by Guernsey to operate its ferry routes under a separate long-term agreement.

The comments follow criticism from local clubs and organisers, who have described the lack of regular inter-island sailings as “devastating” for sporting fixtures, shows and other events.

Farnham said the ability for people to travel between the islands with vehicles remained a priority, adding that his counterpart in Guernsey shared the ambition to strengthen links.

“We need to keep the pressure on the ferry companies,” he said. “There are ongoing discussions, and I am confident improvements will come.”

DFDS said it recognised the importance of inter-island connectivity but stressed that services needed to be financially sustainable. A spokesperson said the company had trialled inter-island sailings in good faith but warned that regularly operating loss-making routes was not viable in the long term.

“Any future services must be deliverable, safe and commercially realistic,” the spokesperson said, adding that DFDS remained open to working with other operators where appropriate.

Brittany Ferries said it had fulfilled its contractual obligations by operating a weekly service to Jersey since April last year and had scheduled additional sailings to support major events, including the Muratti football tournament and the Guernsey Rally in 2026.

The company said limitations on inter-island services stemmed from the absence of such provision in DFDS’s concession agreement, and that any increase in frequency would need to be considered once Jersey’s operator launched its own inter-island route.

The arrival of DFDS marked the end of Condor Ferries’ 60-year relationship with Jersey. Accounts published last year showed Condor recorded losses of £1.5m in the year to March 2023.

Farnham described ferry operations as “hugely challenging” and said expectations needed to be realistic to ensure a sustainable service that could continue investing in vessels and improving standards.

He said he hoped the current difficulties could be resolved through a more constructive and positive approach from all sides.