Some weekly inter-island ferry services cancelled

DFDS said a lack of staff and problems with the tides meant some crossings would be cancelled

A ferry company has cancelled some of its weekly sailings to Guernsey from Jersey.

DFDS began the service in June after calls for a reliable link between the islands and it offered a return trip every Monday, saying it would consider putting on more if there was demand.

The company launched its ferry routes to and from Jersey in March after winning a government contract to operate sailings for the next 20 years, with Brittany Ferries continuing for Guernsey.

DFDS said a lack of staff and problems with the tides meant some crossings would be cancelled.

A spokesperson said: "We have taken the decision to cancel some upcoming sailings which will impact on inter-island services during the summer.

"We can confirm that this is not a planned reduction in inter-island crossings and that our customers have been made aware of these amendments.

"We have tried to not disrupt journeys as much as possible by accommodating passengers on the next available ferry but apologise to those who have been affected by these schedule changes."

Deputy Kirsten Morel said DFDS had prioritised the sailings between Jersey and France

Deputy Kirsten Morel said DFDS had prioritised sailings between Jersey and France.

"I understand it's because they want to provide the service for the many more passengers that will be coming via France on those days than would be travelling inter-island," he said.

"It has to be said that there is not a great deal of demand for inter-island services so - from the passenger numbers perspective - they are much less than passengers that you get from France or the UK.

"Whilst we now have a daily inter-island service, I don't know what those daily services are experiencing in terms of demand either, so we have to wait and see."

The Minister for Sustainable Economic Development said the tender was still "in the very earliest days of a new situation" from a long-term perspective.

Morel added: "If there is demand between the islands then I have no doubt that we will be able to find, either through DFDS or through another operator, a way of filling that demand."

'Build for long-term'

Ian Cuming, from the Jersey Sports Council, said DFDS had to create a plan to improve its services for the future.

"I think we need to have a conversation with DFDS to find out what their issues are," he said.

"Presumably it's commercial and then what can we build for the long-term to create a better inter-island service - both for passengers and for people who want to take equipment, cars, horses, boats, whatever, across [to] the other islands."

Antiques dealer Stephen Cohu said the timetable had not been helpful and the cancellations were affecting his trade with Guernsey.

"We used to be able to go over for the day, get a day trip, go and pick it all up or they would send it over," he said.

"We literally need to go and pick up half a car full of stuff. We've got to stay in Guernsey for a week."