Latest news with #JerseyConsumerCouncil
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Freight flat rate 'could help Jersey's consumers'
A new flat rate of freight into Jersey could help consumers with costs in the long-term, the head of a group representing consumers says. Jersey's government requested that new ferry provider DFDS introduced a flat rate of freight, meaning every freight provider pays the same per meter of space they take up on a ship for goods they bring in. The flat rate will come in when DFDS takes over ferry services at the end of March. Carl Walker, from the Jersey Consumer Council, said while prices would go up in the short-term, in the long-term they could come down. Current ferry operator Condor will run ferry services until the end of March and, under it, bigger shipping companies had been able to negotiate better rates because of the amount of business they brought in. Mr Walker said: "A flat rate means every freight provider will now pay the same per meter of space they take up on the boat for the goods they bring in. "Until now, the more you brought in, the better deal you could strike with Condor. "DFDS have been told they must charge the same for everybody - big or small. "For too long there has been a cloud of mystery of how much things cost to bring in and, finally, now we can see that and there will be a complete level playing field." Mr Walker said there would be an impact on the cost of food. He said: "In the long-term, things would become cheaper. "But, initially, we are expecting a price rise; the government are predicting a 0.4% increase in price rises. "Some retailers have said to me privately they think it might be more. It all depends on how much... freight providers pass on." In the States Assembly, politicians criticised Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel and argued freight charges under DFDS would be more expensive. Deputy Karen Wilson, who is part of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel said: "I think in this situation what we need to understand is what's the reason for the increase in the rate and whether there will be future increases that will actually be anti-competitive and impact business and travellers alike." Morel said: "Both bidders came with more expensive pricing for freight and there is little difference between their pricing. "So, regardless of whether we went with DFDS or Brittany Ferries, the price of freight was going to rise, and this year Condor put the price of freight up for the last three months." Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to DFDS offers 'transparent' flat rate freight price Islanders react to Jersey's ferry decision Jersey Consumer Council Government of Jersey
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
DFDS announces 'transparent' flat rate freight price for Jersey
A flat rate freight pricing policy will provide more "transparency around ferry costs", Jersey's new ferry operator DFDS has line with the terms of the tender process, the Danish company announced its flat rate prices - meaning each importer will pay the same rate regardless of how much freight they bring to the said it was using a "flat rate price of £56 per lane metre and £45 for commodities", but has not responded to requests for more which is due to start operating from the island next month, also released its freight schedule for sailings to the UK on Thursday, with 12 return sailings a week to the UK and one to St Malo, France. The company said it hoped the changes would "encourage a more competitive market and provide greater certainty around the transportation of goods".Carl Walker, from the Jersey Consumer Council, said: "It was never really clear from a consumer perspective as to what everything from a bag of cement to a loaf of bread was costing to bring in."Now, everybody will be on a level playing field, everybody will see what things cost to bring over and would give us a better idea of who is providing the best value for money." He said there could be an initial "bump in the road" if companies passed on price increases to Walker said: "Some will inevitably have to pay more and some may be paying slightly less than they're currently paying so we're going to see that potentially filter through to the prices in the things that we buy in the supermarket."Looking at it more long-term, what this gives is price transparency so that now we will know exactly what freight companies are charging."When people complain that things are more expensive here we will be able to get more of an idea as to why and where those pinch points might be that need addressing in the future." 'Keep prices low' The government's chief economist Tom Holvey said the published flat rate was "encouraging" and any changes resulting in short-term "price pressures" would be expected to be below "half a percentage point".He said: "It will promote competition in the island, provide openness of this element of the vital supply chain, and remove a barrier to market entry, which over time will help keep prices as low as possible for islanders."Passenger bookings for the new ferry services between Jersey, France and the UK were put live in January - with the chief minister warning the first few weeks were likely to be a "little bumpy".Chris Parker, route director for Jersey, said: "We hope this marks a positive step forward for the island, with DFDS adopting this new structure to demonstrate a long-sighted commitment to connecting Jersey with its trade partners."We shall of course, continue to improve and refine our services, working with the community."
