THE start-up of DFDS\u2019s Jersey operations \u201chas proven harder than expected\u201d, according to the Danish shipping giant\u2019s outgoing chief executive \u2013 who said the ferry operator is working with the Island to ensure \u201ca good service\u201d.<\/p>\n
Torben Carlsen, who is remaining in post until his successor his found, made the comments during one of the company\u2019s conference call Q&A sessions while discussing the performance of a number of routes.<\/p>\n
DFDS commenced its Jersey sailings at the end of March, three months after signing a 20-year contract to operate the Island\u2019s ferry services to the UK and France.<\/p>\n
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel has previously stated that the ferry operator was forced into a \u201cvery ambitious\u201d timescale by several factors that delayed the start of its Jersey services.<\/p>\n
This, the minister has argued, included the breakdown of what was initially a joint procurement process with Guernsey, as well as legal action by losing bidder Brittany Ferries after DFDS won the subsequent Jersey-only tender.<\/p>\n
The quality of the service that has since been delivered has faced criticism, with Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham stating in August that it \u201cfalls short of what was promised\u201d and calling for \u201cimmediate clarity and improved delivery\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Carlsen said: \u201cThe start-up of Jersey has proven harder than expected.\u201d<\/p>\n
He cited \u201ca very short timeline\u201d caused by the tender process, which \u201chad to be changed last minute by Jersey\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Carlsen added: \u201cWe are working with Jersey to see how we can agree different changes to both secure a good service to the Islanders and visitors, but also [so we] can ensure that we going forward, can deliver the results that were implied in the agreements we made with Jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n
His comments come less than two months after Deputy Morel said that Islanders \u201cwill continue to see more improvements\u201d from DFDS.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event in September, Deputy Morel noted that \u201cthere may be more challenges\u201d, including\u00a0St Malo\u2019s major port redevelopment, but stated that DFDS was \u201ccommitted to continuously delivering improvements on both routes next year\u201d.<\/p>\n
It also emerged this month that the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel will examine the terms of the ferry contract \u201cto assess whether it will achieve the operational, service and economic outcomes expected by Islanders\u201d.<\/p>\n
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