We're not ready but we'll get there - DFDS boss
BBCThe boss of the ferry firm taking over Jersey's sailings says it is not yet "completely ready" but will be prepared for its launch at the end of the month.
Jersey's government chose DFDS to run the island's ferries in December, sparking a row with Guernsey which opted for Brittany Ferries to run its services.
Filip Hermann, vice president of DFDS, said preparing to take over Jersey's ferry operations in only three months had required support from "the entire organisation" but the company would be ready by the first sailing on 28 March.
He confirmed €300m plans to invest in new boats and said the firm was in the process of recruiting more than 50 Jersey employees.
Mr Hermann said: "We are not completely ready yet but we have a couple of weeks to go.
"The three months mobilisation phase has been extremely short and it has required the entire organization of DFDS to support, to get ready, but we will, we will get there, we will be ready."
He said the initial focus for DFDS would be on operational matters, like departing on time, and it would work on "all the other challenges" after that.
He said he was confident the company would be able to provide Jersey's lifeline freight services and two freight vessels would offer resilience even in worst case scenarios, such as bad weather.
"We believe we have a strong set up that can make sure that you have food on the shelves," he said.
'Take responsibility'
On Wednesday, Mr Hermann addressed more than 200 business leaders as well as politicians at a lunch held by the Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
Murray Norton, CEO of the chamber, said it was the largest lunch the organisation had ever held and the fastest to sell out.
Mr Hermann told the room DFDS could "make a difference" in Jersey.
He confirmed €300m plans to reinvest in three new boats over the next six years and said the company was working on a longer-term project to make travel to France electric.
He also emphasised the importance of a management presence in the island and said the company was in the process of recruiting more than 50 Jersey employees.
He said at least 25 of these people would be from Condor, which used to run the island's ferries.
He said DFDS employees in Jersey needed to be able to take responsibility if the company made mistakes.
"I want staff to run into customers if we mess something up at the ports," he said.
Also speaking at the lunch, DFDS route director Chris Parker defended the company's use of dynamic pricing on its passenger routes.
He said the company would keep reviewing its prices but it had to make sure it was a "resilient, sustainable business".
"We want to reinvest in our fleet - these things don't come for free," he said.
He said the firm was looking at schemes to reward islanders, such as a frequent traveller programme.
Co-chair of the Jersey Hospitality Association (JHA) Marcus Calvani listened to Mr Hermann and Mr Parker speak at the lunch.
He commended DFDS for the amount of work it had achieved in three months, adding that the company was supposed to have six months as per the government's original tender process plans.
He said passenger prices did not look good at the moment but it was part of a "teething process" for the new ferry operator.
He said the JHA and its members had worked closely with DFDS on the new ferry schedules and the company had been "incredibly receptive".
"We're excited about seeing the first boat sail," he said.
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