DFDS’ new ferry service connecting the UK, France and Jersey launched today (Friday 28 March 2025). The route provides a vital lifeline freight service to the largest of the Channel Islands and a passenger service that will help attract visitors to Jersey.
More than 235,000 passengers visited Jersey by sea in 2023 and the ferry company hopes to give tourism to the island a boost by offering a reliable, frequent connection with the UK.
The first ship to operate on the new service left Portsmouth at 09.00 today. Stena Vinga can carry up to 400 passengers and will make the round-trip to Jersey once a day, Monday to Saturday.
Later today, the company will operate its first sailing between Saint Malo in France and the island. The route is served by a high-speed craft, Tarifa Jet, which can carry up to 700 passengers, with one sailing per day on the service initially, increasing to two per day at peak times.
Services between Poole and Jersey will start on 17 April 2025 with a regular daily return at peak times. The route will be operated by Levante Jet, a high-speed ferry which can carry up to 675 passengers.
DFDS was selected as the preferred bidder to provide ferry services to Jersey as part of a competitive tender carried out in 2024 and culminating in the award of the contract last December. It will provide freight and passenger services connecting the island with the UK and France over the next 20 years.
The company has recruited more than 50 local people to help run its services and the two fast ferries serving the route have been re-flagged to the UK ship register, helping to support UK seafarers’ jobs, with plans for new apprenticeships and cadetships on the route in future years.
Chris Parker, route director at DFDS, said: “We’ve worked hard in the three months since the Jersey contract was awarded to prepare for the launch of these new services, recruiting local people and setting up our operations on the island. We know how important it is that we are based on the island, listening to local people and responding to feedback as we build the future of these routes. We are committed to running an effective lifeline service for islanders and working hard with local partners to encourage tourism to the island.
“We have a long-term investment strategy that will ensure that, in partnership with the local government and the people of Jersey, we continue to develop the routes for many years to come by investing in new ships and optimising our schedules. We look forward to building a strong partnership with Jersey and serving the community.”
Fares for ferry crossings from the UK to Jersey start from £173 each way for a car and two people. For more information or to book visit www.dfds.com.
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About DFDS:
DFDS provides ferry and transport services in and around Europe, generating annual revenues of EUR 2.3 bn.
To over 10,000 freight customers we deliver high performance and superior reliability through ferry & port terminal services, and transport and logistics solutions. DFDS delivers high reliability to more than 10,000 freight customers through ferry and port terminal services and transport and logistics solutions.
For more than five million passengers, it provides safe overnight and short sea ferry services.
Our 12,700 employees are located on ships and in in offices across 20 countries. DFDS was founded in 1866, is headquartered in Copenhagen, and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.
In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.
DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for 12 years running (2012-2023), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last 12 years (2011-22).
DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the UK network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is owned by Transmanche Ferries.
For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.com.
In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.
DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for 12 years running (2012-2023), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last 12 years (2011-22).
DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the UK network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is owned by Transmanche Ferries.
For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.com.