'Getting things into the island is always a battle'

Some Jersey businesses have said challenges with the island's ferry services are creating difficulties for them.

One shop owner said "trying to get things into the island is always a battle". The BBC has been speaking to islanders about key issues ahead of Jersey's election on Sunday to vote for all 49 members of the States Assembly.

Several businesses in St Aubin said their existing challenges were being exacerbated by delayed and cancelled ferries.

Operator DFDS has received criticism from various groups and organisations about its performance. Chris Parker, route director for DFDS Jersey, previously said the firm recognised the start of its contract from March 2025 had been "challenging".

DFDS was handed a 20-year contract by the States to provide Jersey's sea links but there have been several challenges including delays, cancellations and concerns over its freight service.

Previously, Condor Ferries served both Jersey and Guernsey for 60 years.

While Jersey opted for Danish firm DFDS, Guernsey picked Brittany Ferries, Condor's parent company, to run its routes.

Samantha Gaudin, who runs the Goji shop in St Aubin explained that ferry delays impacted her business.

She said: "When the boat isn't sailing, food will then have to take priority, so then my deliveries will be delayed by four or five days, and my suppliers are saying, 'Well why haven't you got it? We paid for next day delivery'.

"I say, 'Well I just haven't got it because you know the boats are delayed and we just accept it', so for me, that sort of thing is challenging all the time.

"Trying to organise deliveries, trying to get things into the island is always a battle, always."

When asked what she thought the new government should do when it came to the island's sea links, Gaudin said islanders just had to accept the situation.

She said: "We've made the decision and that's it". But she added: "I don't think it's viable for two small islands to be running two different services."

"I think it's absolutely ridiculous."

The new ferry contract also saw the introduction of a flat rate of freight into Jersey

This means that freight providers pay the same amount per lane metre that their goods take up on a boat. Previously, those bringing a bigger amount of volume would get a discount.

Businesses have previously told the BBC this new freight pricing has added to their costs.

Natalie Parkin, who runs the Salty Dog Restaurant in St Aubin, said: "I would like to see engagement from our politicians and action with our transport routes to effectively bring down the cost of goods coming into the island."

She said this would mean "that we can operate effectively as a business without having to carry the burden of additional costs, which we're doing right now and it's a major, major issue in terms of hospitality".

Parkin added Jersey desperately needed "to improve on our visitors coming into the island".

However, she said there were positive signs with airlines: "Lovely to see KLM getting involved and Logan Air getting involved," she said.

"Let's hope that it brings in new people to the island, new visitors to our hotels and guest houses and Airbnb, to frequent our lovely restaurants hotels and pubs.

"I think DFDS had a lot of challenges in the first year of their operations, not least the fact they started this time last year without a timetable.

"That's all been ironed out and they're working very hard on improving the facilities and and the services they provide to us."

Sebastien Krzeminski, who runs the gallery cafe in St Aubin with his wife, said he would like to see the new Jersey government "bring tourism back to life".

"Making Jersey more affordable in some way to bring people here and more reliable transport.

"DFDS recently cancelled quite a lot of ferries, which people were not happy about, so it's harder for tourists to plan to come to Jersey, so if something is going to ruin their holiday then they won't come here again.

"Ferry connections need to be more reliable."

The BBC approached DFDS to further comment but they have not responded.

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