Shop Owners Slam Delays in Freight Services

Supermarket Leaders Raise Concerns Over Jersey Ferry Service

Supermarket executives have voiced frustration over Jersey's ferry operations and the government's selection process for its new operator.

Representatives from the Channel Islands Co-op, Morrisons, and other retailers told the island’s Economic Scrutiny Panel about ongoing challenges since DFDS replaced Condor earlier this year. Retailers expressed disappointment over what they described as “minimal engagement” from the government during the appointment process and highlighted disruptions to deliveries of chilled and frozen goods.

The Government of Jersey has maintained that a “robust procurement process” identified DFDS as “the strongest strategic partner for Jersey,” awarding the Danish company a 20-year contract for ferry services at the end of 2024.

However, services have struggled since the first sailing in March 2025. Issues have included weather-related cancellations between Jersey and Guernsey, staffing shortages, and technical problems.

Andrew Holmes, Morrisons’ operations director, said: “The resilience of DFDS is a big question for us. When disruption occurs, DFDS has struggled to get vessels into Jersey, and the recovery period has sometimes lasted over a week.”

He added: “This doesn’t inspire confidence, particularly when facing worse weather conditions.”

DFDS acknowledged a few “isolated issues” caused by severe weather but rejected claims of regular delays. A company spokesperson stated: “Since the start of the service, fewer than four percent of freight departures have been cancelled, usually due to extreme weather conditions.”

Retailers also questioned the level of government consultation before the appointment. Mr Holmes noted that Morrisons had “zero involvement” in the decision and only took part in a few meetings afterward.

Lee Madden, president of Jersey’s Chamber of Commerce, echoed the criticism, saying that “nobody” had sought input from its members. The Channel Islands Co-op also cited “little engagement” as a concern.

DFDS said it had met with supermarket representatives prior to launching the new service and had made schedule adjustments based on feedback. “Overall freight volumes have increased since DFDS began operating in Jersey,” the company added. “We remain committed to reliable, efficient freight links and welcome further discussions with supermarket representatives to address any specific concerns.”