Whats happened to speedferries?

Carmen

itsnever2lateisit? wrote: »

Shane if the do fail, I too have used them from the start, and still have unused tickets:eek:

But I do wonder if the French are yet again 'supporting their own' by clearing away the competition for LD Lines when they start

The MD Curt Stavis was due to meet Boulogne Port Authorities today, but according to the BBC he is still in Dover

Are LD Lines starting a service from Dover?

darrenbarker

Carmen wrote: »

Are LD Lines starting a service from Dover?

It is stated on their website

"LD Lines has received full approval from the Port of Dover for the introduction of its new Dover – Boulogne freight and passenger service in 2009.

Scheduled to start from 1st July 2009, the new service will provide four return sailings daily with a crossing time of one hour 45 minutes "

boatman

The trouble is that Speedferries were advertising many cheap long term ticket deals and that is what up to now has being paying for the fuel, that flow has now dried up! Its a shame for them because they used UK crew just like P&O(Dover) and Norfolk Line, LD Line out of Portsmouth use mixed crew because its cheaper(UK Officers, Foreign crew), so this may well be the case when they start out of Dover.

tommytipper

I am supposed to be sailing out on monday,I have always used speedferries and I have a supervoucher with 5 return crossings unused,I will sail out with seafrance and hope that they start crossings again for me to book my return with them,I hope that will be the case anyway.

brece53120

arrived at boulogne last night at 17:20 for the 18:45 crossing to dover (after spending 6 months in France) only to be told that the ship had been "arrested" and that we would have to drive to Calais and purchase another ticket to cross back to England. The staff at boulogne told me that the money for that crossing would be refunded but like a lot of other people we had done a block booking of tickets. Currently getting grief from my husband because he suspected that this would happen and that is why Speed were so keen to sell their "Supertickets" ie they didn't have the money. Have to say that it was good whilst it lasted!

ampersand

I'd just found the message myself.
Yes, have been a loyal Speedferrier from the start.
So, Mr T's vouchers>the rather ghastly Eurotunnel unless others know of cheap off-peak sailings?

itsnever2lateisit?

Meeting between Boulogne chamber of commerce (own the port) and Speedferries tomorrow

fingers crossed

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7719684.stm

lolarentt

Does anyone know how those of us with (a lot!) of prebooked tickets stand if the company goes down? Will be able to claim from the credit card companies we have used to book?

lolarentt

Looks like no news so far, latest from Speedferries website:

Wednesday 12th November
Talks are continuing in Boulogne between SpeedFerries representatives and the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce in order to reach a resolution. Any further updates will be posted here as soon as they become available.

As per my question yesterday anyone any thoughts on wether we can get compensation for forward bookings from CC companies if they go under (no nautical pun intended!)?

ferryenthusiast

I think it is all over for Speedferries now: (from www.speedferries.com)

Notice to all Customers: Speedferries Limited (in Administration)

The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators, A Swarbrick and T Burton, who act as agents of the Company only and without personal liability.

What has happened?
On 12 November 2008, on the application of the Directors, the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, made an an Administration Order in relation to Speedferries Limited. Angela Swarbrick and Tom Burton of Ernst & Young LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of Speedferries Limited.

The Administration is necessary because of Speedferries financial position and to ensure the best interests of creditors and customers are served. The Administrators are currently exploring the option of selling the business as a going concern.

Customers
Crossings have been cancelled for 14, 15 and 16 November 2008 and customers are asked to wait for further information on future crossings and to keep any pre-booked tickets.

We will continue to keep you updated with developments in respect of the long term plans for Speedferries and notify you as soon as possible via the Company website if changes are proposed to be made which will affect your current position.

Suppliers
The directors are still the directors of Speedferries Limited. However, whilst the company is in Administration, we, the Administrators, are ultimately responsible for Speedferries Limited. The directors and existing management structure will remain in place and the directors and their existing management team will be involved in the day-to-day operations.

We will be working closely with management and whilst we explore the option of selling the business we do not envisage any major changes to procedures on a day-to-day basis. Our objective is to sell the business as a going concern and to achieve this we will require your support during this process.

Press Enquiries
Any press enquires should be directed to Vicky Conybeer, Ernst and Young LLP media relations on 020 7951 0868.

Interested Parties
Interested Parties should contact Stuart Kelly on [EMAIL="skelly2@uk.ey.com"]skelly2@uk.ey.com[/EMAIL]

Finally, we would like to re-iterate that our key objective is to explore the option of selling the business as a going concern and would ask for all of your support during the Administration of Speedferries Limited, whilst a buyer or buyers are sought for the business. We shall keep you as fully informed of the situation as we are able as matters progress.

Angela Swarbrick and Tom Burton
Joint Administrators

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales authorises A Swarbrick to act as an Insolvency Practitioner under section 390(2)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986 and The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland authorises T Burton to act as an Insolvency Practitioner under section 390(2)(a) of the Insolvency Act 1986.

The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators, A Swarbrick and T Burton, who act as agents of the Company only and without personal liability.