DFDS cancelled the Tarifa Jet, its first passenger service scheduled under the contract, that was due to arrive in Jersey about 16:00, bringing 114 passengers to the island from St Malo.

The 125m (410ft) Stena Vinga, a combined freight and passenger ship, is due to take 266 people from Jersey on an overnight journey to Portsmouth, leaving the island at 20:00.

However, DFDS said on Facebook, external on Friday it had cancelled its sailing between Jersey and Portsmouth on Saturday due to an "operational change".

It added a revised schedule for Sunday had been set up with a Jersey to Portsmouth crossing on the Stena Vinga at 21:00 and apologised to affected passengers.

The Tarifa Jet has been undergoing a refit in Portland in preparation for its new service and DFDS said this had been delayed due to technical issues.

Jersey route director at DFDS Chris Parker apologised for the cancellation.

He said: "I am sorry that we have had to make these changes at short notice as I know that many people were looking forward to experiencing DFDS' services for the first time, and that islanders have plans to get away for longer breaks.

"We are working hard to keep the interference to a minimum and will notify passengers of the alternative arrangements as soon as possible."

He said the company was excited to finally be in the island and was "dedicated to creating stronger ties between Jersey, the UK and France".