The Jersey Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the publication of the Ferry Concession Agreement between the Government of Jersey and DFDS.
It notes that this release brings long-sought clarity to the terms governing the island’s essential sea connectivity.
Chamber, on behalf of its membership, has consistently called for greater transparency around the obligations and expectations set out in the operating framework for ferry services. The publication of this detailed 132-page agreement and explanatory note is therefore a positive step towards that goal.
Lee Madden, President of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said: “Chamber has long been requesting clarity on the operating agreement that underpins our ferry services. Whilst the fuller detail of the 132 pages will require closer examination, we are pleased that our calls for better understanding of what is required of the ferry operator have been met.
“We hope that this agreement will provide great confidence for all concerned, and that we can now turn a corner towards an essential service that enhances the commerce of the island. A reliable and resilient ferry provision, supported by investment in a modern fleet of vessels, is vital for Jersey’s future, one that is fit for purpose for the next two decades.”
Chamber will continue to review the agreement in detail and engage with both the Government of Jersey and DFDS to ensure that the commitments made within the concession deliver the reliability, resilience and value that islanders and businesses depend upon.
Chamber also understands from engagement with its members that there has now been a reversal of the decision to apply extra freight charges.
Jersey Chamber of Commerce CEO, Murray Norton (pictured), said: “In late July, Chamber became aware of additional charges being applied alongside the newly introduced flat-rate freight pricing. These charges would have added £135.38 to each trailer of freight and several million pounds to the annual cost of freight. It was also planned that the ferry operator would retrospectively apply these additional port dues charges to customers.
“Chamber raised these concerns, received from many affected businesses, with the Government of Jersey, who were previously unaware of the issue.”
