Latest news with #DFDS
ITV News
3 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Jersey visitor numbers plummet compared to 2024 as business group raises concerns
New figures have revealed a significant drop in Jersey visitor numbers compared with 2024. The latest statistics from Visit Jersey show a 24% decrease in visitors across May, with 53,000 people travelling to the island - 17,000 fewer than during the same period last year. This is mainly down to fewer overnight stays, although there were also 2,400 fewer day trips. From January to May, 71,500 people came to Jersey for leisure, almost a quarter down on 2024. However, there was more business travel with an extra 3,700 trips to Jersey. Tim Crowley from the Jersey Chamber of Commerce says the overall trend is worrying. He explains: "It is very concerning, and the concern now is that when we get into the winter, businesses rely on cash to get them through. "All the markets are down, I know Ireland is down 10%, so we are seeing similarities but we are down more, and we have to ask ourselves why and what we can do about it." Separate data from the Ports of Jersey also revealed a decline in the number of passengers travelling from Saint Malo. In April, the number of passengers from the French city was 24% lower compared to the previous year. In May, the decline was even more pronounced with a nearly 50% drop from 20,637 visitors in 2024, against 11,142 this year. Speaking to ITV News, Visit Jersey points to data showing the average length of stay increasing in the island, as well as surveys showing people are more likely to recommend Jersey as a destination. Operator DFDS took over the island's ferry service at the end of March 2025 and Chris Parker, Jersey Route Director, says: "DFDS remains committed to providing high-quality travel to Jersey, focusing on increasing visitors to the island and their customer experience. "Since we launched our services in March, we have introduced day trips between Jersey and St Malo, providing more opportunities for islanders and visitors alike to explore and enjoy travel across the Channel. "We have also launched our new inter-island service, strengthening Jersey's connection to Guernsey and ensuring there are convenient ways to travel between the two islands. "We are working closely with Visit Jersey and other partners to promote Jersey as a destination; we have a joint campaign with Visit Jersey, which will run through the summer. "We are also introducing new offers, including short break fares, which we are launching today."
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Ferry passengers stranded at UK port for over 10 HOURS due to ‘murder' arrest
FERRY passengers were stranded at a UK port for over 10 hours as officers made a "murder" arrest. Officers boarded the ship to arrest the suspect in a murder investigation following a large police operation in Kent. 1 Passengers were stranded on the vessel after the operation saw officers force the DFDS ship to return to the Port of Dover this morning, shortly after departing for Calais. The Met Police have confirmed a 22-year-old was arrested on Tuesday, July 8, on suspicion of the murder of Tyler Hayward in Waltham Forest. An investigation was launched after police were called to reports of a stabbing in Chingford Mount Road on Sunday evening. Met officers responded with paramedics and a 26-year-old man was found with a stab wound. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene. Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "The thoughts of the investigation team remain with Tyler's family and our specially trained officers continue to support them at this difficult time. "Since Sunday we have been making extensive enquiries and this resulted in searches being carried out at the Port of Dover today. "I'd like to thank Kent Police and other agencies for their support as we carried out these checks, as well as members of the public who were disrupted while this vital work took place."
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Daily Mail
Police order Channel ferry to return to port before boarding ship to make 'murder arrest' - as passengers are left stranded for 10 hours
Police raided a ferry at the Port of Dover to arrest a murder suspect leaving passengers stranded for 10 hours. The huge operation saw officers force the DFDS ship to return to shore yesterday morning shortly after departing for Calais. Last night the Met Police confirmed a 22-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of Tyler Hayward in Waltham Forest, east London on Sunday. Det Ch Insp Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation from the Met's Specialist Crime Command said: 'The thoughts of the investigation team remain with Tyler's family and our specially trained officers continue to support them at this difficult time. 'Since Sunday we have been making extensive enquiries and this resulted in searches being carried out at the Port of Dover today. 'I'd like to thank Kent Police and other agencies for their support as we carried out these checks, as well as members of the public who were disrupted while this vital work took place.' Those aboard the vessel have spoken out about the 'stressful experience'. Helen Burdall, a mother-of-three, was on the DFDS ship Cote d'Opale after boarding at 10am at the Port of Dover alongside her family for a 10-day holiday to France. She had been travelling with her husband Luke and their children aged seven, five and two, telling KentOnline the boat set off about half an hour after its scheduled departure of 10.40am. But after no more than 20 minutes into the crossing to Calais it had turned back around to Dover. The 37-year-old, who lives on the Kent-Sussex border, said: 'We weren't given any information other than they were apparently looking for somebody criminal. 'For the first four hours, we were kept upstairs and weren't allowed to get down to the cars at all. 'Then we were all moved downstairs to the car deck and had to stay in our vehicles for two hours. We were then moved back upstairs to Deck 8. It's been quite stressful.' Ms Burdall said staff were also in the dark and could not update passengers with any news. However, those aboard were reportedly offered food and water. The ferry finally set off for Calais at around 8.40pm and the Met Police issued a statement shortly after confirming the force had made an arrest. An investigation was launched after police were called to reports of a stabbing in Chingford Mount Road at 9.14pm on Sunday, July 6. Met officers responded with paramedics and 26-year-old Tyler Hayward was found with a stab wound. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he died at the scene. In a statement, the victim's family said: 'We are struggling with the tragic loss of Tyler, a beautiful soul with the kindest of hearts. 'A much-loved son, grandson and brother, who will be missed immensely. We would appreciate privacy at this time whilst we come to terms with our loss.'
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ferry firm DFDS in call for 'as many apprentices as want to join'
Ferry operator DFDS has encouraged young islanders to consider a maritime career at an event for school-leavers in Jersey. Bosses said they were looking to hire the next generation of deck and engine crews on 18-month ahead of the event, Gemma Griffin, head of crewing for DFDS, said she was looking to recruit "as many [young people] that want to come".The Danish ferry firm previously pledged to hire local staff, and offered some old Condor employees jobs on their ships when the company took over as Jersey's operator earlier this year. 'Fantastic opportunity' DFDS said that more than 100 former Condor staff had joined its ranks since it took over, but now it was looking to add a new crop of ferry workers to the a careers event on board the Tarifa Jet in Elizabeth Harbour, the person in charge of the recruitment drive, Gemma Griffin, said it was a "fantastic opportunity" for young said: "The sky's the limit when you're qualified because, the more experience that you get at sea, then the longer your career journey can be."You could become a future captain or a future chief engineer. So, it really is cradle-to-grave stuff here that we're talking about".DFDS said it was looking to recruit deck apprentices, engine apprentices, and also had roles available on the commercial side too. Chris Parker, Jersey route director for DFDS, said apprentices would benefit from the knowledge and skills held by former Condor staff who had remained in the said: "We have a lot of ex-Condor employees and I'm really pleased that they've stayed in the ferry industry. "That was a real concern because these are people with a huge amount of experience and skills, which if the ferry industry loses them, it's very difficult to replace".
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Condor sells former Jersey and Guernsey passenger ferry to DFDS
A ferry which served the Channel Islands for nearly 30 years is to be repurposed to transport DFDS said the purchase of Condor's Commodore Goodwill would "enhance lifeline freight services connecting Jersey with Portsmouth and St Malo".Under the plans, Commodore Goodwill will be reflagged under the UK flag, and renamed Caesarea Trader in homage to Jersey's Latin name, vessel is 126 meters (43ft) long, has a cargo capacity of 1250 cubic metres, the equivalent of about 80 trailers. It will be renovated ahead of its launch later this year, replacing the MV Arrow, the leased vessel currently transporting Jersey's freight, said DFDS."We are delighted to be able to announce the acquisition of Goodwill, " said Chris Parker, the company's Jersey route director."We are working hard to get it ready for service and in the meantime MV Arrow and her crew will continue to provide an excellent service for the island."
