Guernsey Rejects Proposed Weekend Ferry Link with Jersey

Plans for a new weekend ferry service between Jersey and Guernsey have been turned down by Guernsey’s Committee for Economic Development.

Ferry operator DFDS had proposed using the Stena Vinga to run a Friday evening sailing from Jersey to Guernsey, before continuing on to Portsmouth. The return journey would have departed on Monday, arriving back in Jersey in the afternoon.

Committee president Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller said the proposal had been reviewed in detail but ultimately could not be approved in its current form.

“The proposal has received very careful and detailed consideration,” she said. “However, having assessed the wider operational and service impacts, we are not able to approve the DFDS proposal in its current form.”

The decision has been criticised by the Jersey Sports Council, which described the outcome as “extremely disappointed” and urged all parties to continue negotiations. Kazantseva-Miller confirmed that discussions could continue, saying “the door is not closed” to alternative solutions.

In explaining its decision, the committee said the proposed timetable would create significant operational and staffing challenges for Guernsey Ports, Customs and Immigration. Most of the proposed Friday evening arrivals would fall outside normal operating hours, potentially affecting costs and the scheduling of freight and passenger services the following day.

The committee also raised concerns about whether DFDS would be able to operate the service using the Stena Vinga, citing reports that the vessel may require maintenance.

Additionally, officials highlighted the broader political context surrounding inter-island travel, including a 2025 commitment by Jersey’s minister for sustainable economic development to pursue a reciprocal ferry arrangement. This model was based on one weekly return sailing between the islands, similar to the service offered by Brittany Ferries using a high-speed vessel.

Kazantseva-Miller said the committee remained open to further talks, provided any future proposals were operationally viable, legally sound and capable of delivering a truly reciprocal service between the islands.