DFDS to Pause Jersey–Poole Fast Ferry Service Over Winter

DFDS Suspends High-Speed Poole Service Over Winter

Ferry operator DFDS will pause its high-speed route between Jersey and Poole this winter, with services set to resume in the spring.

The company’s winter timetable, covering 1 November to 10 January, includes 118 sailings between Jersey and Portsmouth and 88 to St Malo. But passenger demand has dropped significantly in the colder months, prompting the suspension of fast Poole sailings until 30 April.

DFDS, which took over the island’s main ferry services in March, said the revised schedule still provides capacity for up to 77,000 passengers on UK routes and 134,000 on French services between November and March — well above typical winter demand.

Jersey route director Chris Parker said the decision had not been taken lightly.“We understand this will impact islanders and disappoint some travellers, and we are sorry for the inconvenience,” he said. “Our aim is to provide a long-term sustainable service for Jersey, with future investment in new vessels.”

The operator confirmed its Levante Jet, which usually runs the Poole crossing, will cover St Malo services while the Tarifa Jet undergoes dry dock maintenance in November. The Levante Jet will then also be taken out of service until summer, when the Tarifa Jet returns and helps restore sailings to Poole around Easter.

DFDS added that 110 freight sailings have been scheduled up to 10 January, while final plans for services from mid-January onward are still being completed.