Portsmouth International Port last week welcomed the first passengers to cross on a new DFDS service to Jersey from the city. The Stena Vinga will operate a round-trip journey to Jersey once a day, from Monday to Saturday as part of a 20-year contract.
The contract serves Jersey and provides links to Portsmouth and Poole in Dorset. Brittany/Condor ferries will oversee routes between the city and Guernsey, despite previously serving both islands.
Portsmouth International Port has multiple berths so can service multiple ferry operators. The Channel Islands have been served from Portsmouth since the port was first built.
Port director Mike Sellers said:
“Portsmouth International Port is recognised as critical infrastructure, with the route to Jersey being a lifeline service to the Channel Islands – 98% of everything consumed on the island comes through Portsmouth.”
We want to expand our ferry operations; it’s part of the port masterplan. We have the ability to service more ships, and we’ll do everything we can to make this a success.
“We’re looking forward to working with DFDS .”
Steve Newbery, director of onboard services at DFDS, said:
“We are super excited to be in Portsmouth and to be serving Jersey. It’s not every day you get to open a brand-new route.”