DFDS Route Schedules and Bookings

Jersey Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have clarity of the first schedules being released by DFDS for the northern route. 

Lee Madden, Vice President, Chamber of Commerce, said: 

“Since the start of the year, The Jersey Chamber of Commerce has been heavily involved with the senior management team at DFDS, and via a series of feedback sessions where we outlined areas for improvement to the first draft schedules we were sighted of. It is worth noting that the first draft schedules did comply with the service level agreement within their contract and with 35% of the Guernsey business no longer there, the potenial for fewer sailings would always exsist. 

DFDS have been in ‘listening mode’ and already taken onboard some of our member suggestions and added several key dates to the original draft schedule. We are assured there will be capacity for further additional services to this route where and when needed, and advised that we will see details for the southbound route schedules next week. Chamber will be reviewing freight sailings in the coming days. We will be engaging with the many businesses reliant on a consistent and regular frieght schedule, to continue our feedback to DFDS.”  

DFDS has also confirmed that the opportunity for customers to book is still under review, with a backstop date of 31st January, however with IT testing already underway, they hope this date can be brought forward. 

Tim Crowley, Chair of the Chamber Visitor Economy Committee, commented: 

“It would be fair to say that waiting until the 31st January is not an ideal situation for customers and crucially for the visitor economy. The delay is frustrating and costly to the industry, but we also understand that DFDS is working hard to deliver a robust booking platform, only having the ability to sign their contract with the Government on the 31st December.  

We would encourage DFDS, Government of Jersey and Visit Jersey to focus on supporting the visitor economy sector by aligning not only their marketing and promotion recources but also their combined investment initiatives to win back those customers potenially lost because they’ve not been able to book. We would be keen to see discounted tickets availble to encourage an uplift in bookings to see a recovery for the sector.”