Jersey government signs ferry contract with DFDS

Jersey's government has signed a contract with Danish ferry operator DFDS to operate the island's ferry services between the island, the UK and France, it has confirmed.

The contract will start from 28 March and run for 20 years.

The routes include services from Poole and Portsmouth, as well as Saint-Malo in France.

DFDS said it was committed to providing a greater frequency of trips in peak periods, investing in three new ferries for the island by 2032 and providing two dedicated high-speed ferries in the summer.

The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development awarded the contract for the service to DFDS at the start of December.

Deputy Kirsten Morel said: "I'm delighted we have signed a contract with DFDS, which will enable us to provide the best possible ferry services for islanders for the next 20 years."

Chris Parker, route director Jersey for DFDS, previously told the BBC: "We look forward to welcoming passengers aboard and providing them with a comfortable travel experience and meeting the diverse needs of the island."

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