The Tarifa Jet is a high-speed catamaran ferry owned and operated by DFDS Seaways. Built in 1997, she originally operated across Southern Europe with SNAV under three names, and later FRS Iberia/Maroc under her current name. She currently operates between St Malo, France and Jersey in the Channel Islands.

History

Built in 1997 by Incat in Tasmania, Australia under the name Incat 043, the vessel was first delivered in May 1997.

SNAV

Incat 043 was sold in 1997 to Italian operator SNAV as Sicilia Jet. Throughout its latter years with SNAV, the vessel was renamed twice, first as Sardinia Jet and lastly as Pescara Jet.

FRS

In 2006, the vessel was sold to FRS Iberia/Maroc and was renamed Tarifa Jet.

DFDS Seaways

In 2024, DFDS Seaways acquired FRS Iberia/Maroc.

Following the decision in Jersey to appoint DFDS as their new operator, Tarifa Jet was redeployed on St Malo to Jersey sailings from spring 2025.

In June 2025, DFDS began a weekly Monday inter-island service between Jersey and Guernsey using the Tarifa Jet. Services were often cancelled, and subsequently, timetables published after October omitted the service, and it did not resume.

Layout

The catamaran has an overall length of 86.62 meters, a beam of 26.00 m and a draft of 3.62 m, the gross tonnage amounts 4.995 GT. The machinery consists of four Ruston 20RK270 engines with a total output of 28320 kW (38,500 HP) allowing a maximum service speed of 42 knots (78 km/h; 48 mph). 800 passengers and 185 cars can be accommodated on board; the car deck is accessed via two stern ramps.

Accidents and incidents

On 29 March 2026, Tarifa Jet struck the eastern linkspan in St Helier Harbour, Jersey. The ferry lost power shortly after, and her stern was damaged. No one was injured.

Sister ships

External links