New ferry service launched in Dominica

Passengers coming off the Val Ferry on its inaugural trip to Portsmouth

Just hours after it was announced that the Ross University School of Medicine shut down operations in Dominica, the island has become home to the Val’Ferry.

And while the economic impact of the two ventures cannot be compared, local officials believe that the new ferry service can make a meaningful contribution to business in the country.

The ferry service, owned by Guy and Claude Vala, is set to target business men and women, with voyages from Dominica as early as 6:00 am.

Val’Ferry service offers trips from Portsmouth aboard the Sunny Day, and from Roseau to Martinique, aboard the Idéal.

Francis said the new service will benefit our farmers, hucksters and excursionists

In an opening ceremony aboard the Sunny Day, on Friday, Titus Francis, the Mayor of Portsmouth, described the venture as “a breath of fresh air,” and “a sign of better days to come.” He said the new business would benefit several sectors within the community, and island-wide.

“All is not lost for Dominica. All is not lost for Portsmouth…” he said. “This service will not only allow persons to travel between Portsmouth and Guadeloupe but it is going to benefit our farmers, hucksters, our excursionists.”

Tonge said the Val Ferry will make access to Dominica easier

Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, stated that the venture will help afford visitors access to Dominica. He said this will be of special importance upon the completion of the hotels in Portsmouth.

“Access to Dominica has always been a challenge, but by you being here, it helps to alleviate that challenge and make access to Dominica easier,” he explained.

Tonge commended the Valas for investing in the island, especially in the wake of the disastrous hurricane Maria. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to marketing the island to foreigners.

“You’re taking the risk to come here, and we as a government are also taking the risk by investing additional sums to ensure that we can promote and market our country,” Tonge noted.

Claude Vala, co-owner of Val’Ferry, revealed that the business is set to partner with Norwegian Airlines to carry visitors by plane from Boston to Guadeloupe, and by boat from Guadeloupe to Dominica.

He spoke of expanding the business to eventually cater to other destinations.

For more information on Val’Ferry you can visit their Facebook Page

Tickets can be purchased at the following locations:

Clara House, Picard Portsmouth

The Roseau Office on the Corner of Kennedy Ave & Great George Street opposite Payless

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24 Comments

  1. Self
    August 7, 2018

    Robbie just worsen his record as the worst minister of tourism in the entire world by again loosing twelve hundred stay over visitors at Ross University. His record as the worst minister in the entire world, will never ever be broken. The more you remain as minister the worst you get, best Issac was given all your portfolios when you got demoted.

  2. August 7, 2018

    One step forward, two steps backward :-D

  3. Channel 1
    August 5, 2018

    I don’t know who dem fellas think they fooling with their “breath of fresh air” and “sign of better days to come” nonsensical utterances.

    Bunch of jokers ALL OF DEM. A royal bastion of incompetence dat Labour Party dere. Under all you watch Ross University left Dominica – history will record all you names for this most horrendous and tragic blunder.

    NEXT!!!

  4. Shaking my head
    August 5, 2018

    Dominica is too small of a country for there to be so much separation. Instead of insulting or criticizing every single thing that is done, why not DO something yourself? Why wait for someone else to do something that may make the country financially better. The way I see it, Dominica is a great country. You all have so many good things that other countries wish they had It’s quite sad.

  5. Floridian Diaspora
    August 5, 2018

    Alas !!!! So much people leaving the island that the regular express and them always overbooked so they had to find other avenues to aid the migration extravaganza in order to make it a less painful process. When no one viable is left on the island Skeriit and his cesspool will again corrupt the voters list by going to the forest and get manicou and rat and try to get them to make a X on d ballot for him. Good thing I have my American passport so when d Skeritt royal bloodline with their redimade children that were bourne overseas think they destroying d country then jump ship is not them alone that will be able to do so. Happy migration people

  6. Presentation
    August 5, 2018

    It’s a good idea,
    But can we for once concentrate on how we prepare our facilities to do business . Look at the port ,if you look well you will see an old bent bar wire on a broken gate .man when you all plan on doing business place give proper presentation that way tourist will feel safe and comfortable. Fix that port please.

  7. Bring back the parrots
    August 5, 2018

    Dominica needs a sea plane service between Roseau to Guadalupe, Martinique and St Lucia. The plane can land at the port in Roseau bay instead of passengers having to endure the hour and half trip from Melville Hall. In the old days before the airport was constructed in the 1950’s sea planes were used to travel to Dominica and they would land at cane field, they were nicknamed the “Goose” Having sea plane service would also be more reliable due to weather factors at Melville Hall airport.

    • RastarMarn
      August 5, 2018

      One step at a time Breadren doh worry progress is coming,,,

      Seaborne Airlines started off as a little rinkidinky Canadian Company providing air services for the USVI just during the summer months now look how they expanded,,,

    • anonymous2
      August 6, 2018

      Good idea. Who has the sea planes?

      • Bring back the parrots
        August 6, 2018

        Maybe a company in the USVI or BVI has them, I believe it would be better if the Dominica government should try and buy their own and start their own service. I know these planes are still available they are used in Alaska. A base could be established at Portsmouth with the natural protected bay. It would make it easier to get to Dominica, chief complaint of visitors is it is too hard to get to the island. The sea panes could be used as a back-up means of transportation. Building a new land airport is not feasible due to the tall mountains of Dominica and Dominica does not have the money for that. Just my additional thoughts anything is worth a try just have to find financial backing. Hello! Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic!! Can you help?

  8. SakWehToneh
    August 5, 2018

    So we just keep finding all other solutions to get to Dominica except by air or by building an International airport? Why are we so reluctant to get Dominica into the 21st Century?

    Minister of Tourism you suck at your job.

    • Oh Wow
      August 5, 2018

      Cannot please you people.. Wow. Aren’t they talking or have plans of building an international airport that you people think will make Dominica rich? expect it to be built overnight huh?

      • May
        August 6, 2018

        18 YEARS is a lot more than over night !!!!!

  9. It's my damn business
    August 5, 2018

    So the government doesn’t have enough paracetamol to help the people of Portsmouth and the north cope with losing Ross so Doctor Skerrit prescribed a fake replacement prescription for the people? All of a sudden they have a ferry service for Portsmouth. So long they planning that thing man which, by the way confirms that Skerrit’ knew long time, before Maria, that Ross was on it’s way out, so he and opperatives of the DLP were already planning? As usual they blame Maria and Erica for everything but hurricane Skerrit has been destroying Dominica long time. Maria was the timing for the departure of Ross but Skerrit was the Cause. Ask “All Saints”. Now Robert Tonge again came with his incompetent story but let’s not forget his same FAILED story about Nowegian air below. Very incompetent and lazy government that doing havok to our country.

    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/business/govt-looks-at-norwegian-airlines-to-improve-air-access-to-dominica/

  10. Possie Direct
    August 5, 2018

    What to do with these laborites as they try to people to forget about the negative impact of losing Ross. Francis and his gang can try as hard as they want but they cannot hide from the fact that their lazy government chased Ross out of Dominica. Francis has been seen as the replacement for the lazy Ian and this boat story is just his way of making those blind laborites of Portsmouth feel good. I wonder who owns that ferry? Something is telling me that it might very well be the same person (s) that own the Dominica strong heavy equipments .

    • %
      August 5, 2018

      Good observation .Oh no Ross SHALL never be forgotten.Their (DLP) preoccupation was the sharing of ration and building materials for votes,while the bajans were laughing at the most lazy, incompetent,inarticulate,insultive Prime Minister in the Commonwealth of Nations (Skerrit).
      Where The Wicked Rule The People MOURN
      This DLP is a Wicked and Evil Party

  11. Lauretta
    August 5, 2018

    Antigua to dominica would be great liat tickets are to expensive

  12. Frank
    August 5, 2018

    Although that’s good ..but that is nothing … what economic impact that goin to have in a country that’s on its last leg…. man these things are petty bussiness… we need bigoer things… &

  13. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    August 4, 2018

    You people foolishness stinks!

    Are you all suggesting that a boat ride can replace Ross University? Tongue you are one of the most ignorant idiot Dominica has ever seen!  “That venture will help visitors access Dominica” (Tongue)

    How stupid are you boy?

    I am in Europe, or North America or the Middle East, Africa, heard of Dominica wish to go and visit, so I will make my to somewhere, some place in the Caribbean locate ” Val Ferry” to take me to Dominica! You are  dumb, and are doing nothing than compounding the fact that under people like you and Roosevelt Skerrit, Dominicans hope for forward progress will never ever be realized!

    Idiot, the only alternative is an International Airport!

    The thing about it is all of you know how to run country, you do everything, via lying, but when the lie is told and nothing can be delivered the results are as we see a forty year institution kick your faces and move to a fully developed Barbados!

    Damn liars!

    • Ibo France
      August 5, 2018

      Francisco, you really make some salient points but you punch with reckless abandon. I read your comments often. Your suggestions and counter arguments are for the most part pertinent, but your tone can be extremely scorching at times. Be passionate but don’t lose control. Peace bro!

  14. %
    August 4, 2018

    Good initiative… I can only imagine what this ferry service, plus a vibrant Ross would do to
    Portsmouth. To incompetent Robbie,true lasting access to Dominica will only be solved when Hurricane DLP is disgracefully kicked out of office by the electorate at the next election.

  15. Iamanidiot
    August 4, 2018

    From a flight to USA we still have togo barbados, antigua, st lucia before we can come home. but good job

    • August 5, 2018

      Just book your flight to Guadeloupe and take the Ferry from there to Dominica.

      • Traveler
        August 7, 2018

        It’s also a cheaper option..

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