Offers to buy SpeedFerries

POTENTIAL buyers have made offers for the troubled ferry company SpeedFerries, administrators say.

Ernst & Young say they have “received offers for both the business and assets of the company and the company's assets individually from interested parties.”

The administrators say they will be “exploring” the offers, and SpeedFerries’ staff will be updated on Tuesday.

The firm, which operated a Dover - Boulogne service with a single high-speed ferry, went into administration on November 13, a week after its ship was seized by Boulogne port authorities over unpaid harbour duties and taxes. All crossings have been cancelled until further notice.

The general director of LD Lines, which plans to launch a Boulogne – Dover route in July 2009, Christophe Santoni said he had no interest in buying SpeedFerries’ business or boat.

“Our project combines passengers and freight, while SpeedFerries is just passengers. We think both are needed to make a ferry service profitable,” he said.

People who had paid for SpeedFerries tickets are being offered no guarantees of refunds, but are asked to regularly check www.speedferries.com for updates or call customer services on 0044 (0) 871 222 7456.
A spokeswoman for the administrators said people should keep their pre-bought tickets as a new buyer “may” honour them. Alternatively they can email their details to rapollo@uk.ey.com or kkhemlani@uk.ey.com to register as an unsecured creditor.

This means you may get compensation if any money is left after priority creditors are paid. If you paid more than £100 on a British credit card you are entitled to a refund from the card issuers. In the case of other British or French payment cards, check the details of your contract to see if you may be insured.

Photo:SpeedFerries