DFDS promises new vessels and improvements

Filip Werne Hermann said DFDS would run two high-speed ferries, a freight vessel and a ropax vessel for Jersey

The ferry provider chosen to operate services to Jersey has promised three new vessels in the next six years.

Filip Werne Hermann, Head of Channel and Baltics at DFDS, said he expected to see immediate improvements to the service.

On Tuesday the Government of Jersey announced it had chosen DFDS to run the passenger and freight services rather than Brittany Ferries, which Guernsey has chosen.

Mr Hermann said the two ferry firms would "have to work together and we'll happily do so, not least about the inter-island sailings".

DFDS has promised three new vessels will be brought in during the next six years

He said: "We had of course hoped for a joint service but now we focus on Jersey and we believe it's certainly viable."

Mr Hermann said DFDS planned to invest in three new vessels over six years which would replace those in use, one at a time.

"During the first period, the fleet will be two high-speed craft, one for the north and one for the south, and then a dedicated freight vessel and a ropax vessel," he explained.

"It will be a quite similar, if not better, fleet," he added.

'Better design supply chains'

Mr Hermann said a detailed finance plan had formed part of the tender documents and that DFDS had a "strong financial profile".

He said no money would be given to the firm by Jersey's government.

He also refuted concerns that prices of goods may rise, saying "we might even be able to better design the supply chains to Jersey now that we can focus on one island and that's one of the first things we'll do".

Mr Hermann said it was too soon to detail sailings but promised an "attractive schedule" due to its frequent, high-speed vessels.

He said his team was "working day and night" to get the booking portal ready for travellers to book crossings.