DFDS has responded to French media scrutiny over its crew employment practices on the St Malo route \u2013 stating it remains \u201cfully committed\u201d to ensuring its seafarers are employed under \u201cthe appropriate regime required by law and maritime regulation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Danish shipping firm\u2019s comments come in the wake of a France 3 Bretagne article, outlining maritime union concerns that some crew operating the route may not be registered with France\u2019s maritime social security system ENIM.<\/p>\n
However, DFDS pointed out that it operates different routes through different legal entities, depending on the contractual and regulatory requirements and the operational structure of each service. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is standard practice within the maritime industry,\u201d the ferry operator said in a statement.<\/p>\n
It explained that, for the service between Jersey and St Malo, the\u00a0Tarifa Jet fast ferry\u00a0sails under the UK flag, \u201cwhich means we operate under the strict regulatory and employment framework required for UK-flagged vessels\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result, seafarers working on the\u00a0Tarifa Jet\u00a0are employed on UK salaries and terms and conditions, and receive a comprehensive package of social benefits in line with applicable legislation, regardless of their nationality or country of domicile,\u201d the statement continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis framework includes participation in a UK pension scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n
DFDS also noted that it was \u201cactively committed\u201d to recruitment and skills development in the regions that it operates in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn July 2025, we held our first careers at sea day in Jersey and are actively seeking to recruit islanders to work both shore-side and onboard our vessels,\u201d a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, next week DFDS will host a recruitment fair in St Malo on 4 February to attract seafarers from the region who are seeking careers at sea.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company highlighted its \u201cstrong French maritime presence\u201d beyond the Jersey-St Malo services, operating five French-flagged vessels and employing approximately 800 French seafarers.<\/p>\n
\u201cDFDS was among the first operators on the English Channel to take a stand against social dumping and to drive improvements in seafarers\u2019 pay, terms and conditions of employment, both in the UK and in France,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe remain fully committed to ensuring that all our seafarers are employed under the appropriate regime required by law and maritime regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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