The Government of Jersey has appointed DFDS as their preferred bidder to operate the Island’s UK and French passenger and freight services from 28th March 2025.
Subject to the completion of contract negotiations, the 2025 timetable will be published by the end of next week which will allow passengers to begin booking for next year. For Jersey passengers this is expected to mean:
- Greater frequency of ferries to the UK and France in peak periods
- Faster ferries to the UK
- Three new ferries within the next six years
- Two dedicated high-speed ferries for the summer
The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development, Deputy Kirsten Morel, has today (Tuesday 3 December) taken the decision with the full support of the Council of Ministers.
Deputy Morel said: “We have run a robust procurement process that has been independently moderated, and the results show DFDS to be the strongest strategic partner for Jersey.
“A partnership with DFDS will deliver new investment including new highspeed vessels, more sailings in peak periods and a service that is reliable and resilient for Islanders, visitors and businesses.”
For freight users, the agreement will mean:
- A flat rate card (rather than volume-based pricing), to provide greater certainty and improve freight competitiveness.
- More regular freight sailings to France/UK at peak times.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said: “This decision has been made after very careful consideration and will secure the best possible ferry service for Jersey long into the future.”
What happened with the process?
The selection process was announced as a joint initiative between Jersey and Guernsey.
After an initial market testing phase, formal tenders from ferry operators were invited in May 2024.
At the end of the first round, no bidder was appointed by Jersey because no bidders were deemed to have met all four of the criteria set by Jersey. At the end of the first round, Guernsey concluded that Brittany Ferries had met all four criteria and appointed them.
Jersey launched a second, rapid tender process, for Jersey alone, and invited the final two bidders – DFDS and Brittany Ferries – to submit revised/improved tenders. DFDS’ revised tender has been approved.
Who is DFDS?
DFDS was founded in 1866 and is headquartered and listed in Copenhagen. It operates a transport network in and around Europe with an annual revenue of DKK 28bn and 14,000 full-time employees.
The company moves goods in trailers by ferry, road and rail and offers complementary and related transport and logistics solutions.
It also moves car and foot passengers on short sea and overnight ferry routes.
The main picture shows a current DFDS ship.