The Guernsey operator said in a statement this morning that its ship Voyager will depart from St Malo at 8.15am.<\/p>\n
It comes shortly after DFDS announced it had secured the \u201cmuch sought-after\u201d 7.45am departure slot from the Breton port<\/a> as part of an improved schedule of sailings to and from France.<\/p>\n Brittany Ferries chief executive Christophe Mathieu accused DFDS and Jersey\u2019s government of making an \u201cearly announcement\u201d.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cWe are obviously delighted to have secured these optimal timings, as it allows us to continue developing services following such a positive first season.<\/p>\n \u201cThe decision reflects the importance of Brittany Ferries to Saint-Malo Port, where, as a group, we increased our freight activity by 48.1% and passenger traffic by 14.1% in comparison with 2024.<\/p>\n \u201cThe changes mean we can optimise our operations with the arrivals and departures each day of Voyager and our Portsmouth vessel, the Saint Malo.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is also clear that the Government of Jersey and DFDS jumped to conclusions by making an early announcement last week as discussions were still ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n Brittany Ferries said that the sailing schedule would help support the continued growth of passenger and freight traffic to Guernsey and onward to Poole.<\/p>\n Mr Mathieu added: \u201cWe have ambitious plans to develop services from Saint-Malo to the \u201cIn parallel, we continue to work closely with the States of Guernsey on plans to increase freight volumes to the Island, following three trade delegations during the third quarter of this year.\u201d<\/p>\n As a result, DFDS\u2019s ferry departure time has been moved forward by 30 minutes from the previously announced 7.45am to 7.15am, in a move the Danish firm said had not been discussed.<\/p>\n DFDS is now seeking urgent clarification from the St Malo port authorities on the change. The Jersey operator has said that it had received a letter confirming that fast-craft services operating between Saint-Malo and Jersey would be prioritised.<\/p>\n In a statement, a DFDS spokesperson said: \u201cOn the basis of this written confirmation, DFDS implemented and communicated its service plan, building on strong early booking levels \u201cHowever, all operators have since received a further letter from Saint-Malo Port officials setting out revised departure times, including a proposed change from a 7.45am departure time to 7.15am.\u201d<\/p>\n The spokesperson said this change had not been discussed with DFDS and differs from the earlier confirmation.<\/p>\n It comes less than 24 hours after the strength of collaborative spirit between Jersey and Guernsey was called into question once again \u2013 after DFDS was not included within a working group set up to improve inter-island sea travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Danish shipping firm told Express it was \u201csurprised\u201d after it emerged that the group, which involves Brittany Ferries, Manche-Iles Express, and Islands Unlimited, had met for the first time last week.<\/p>\n
Bailiwick and onward to the UK, creating opportunities and tangible benefits for local economies and tourism sectors.<\/p>\n
for 2026 and beginning work with island and regional partners to promote the route.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Stena-Vinga-in-harbour.jpg\")
Pictured: DFDS freight and passenger ship Stena Vinga.<\/p>\n