Whats happened to speedferries?

Tarry

So the company is sinking pardon the pun?

hiccup

ferryenthusiast wrote: »

From whats being talked about in the Enthusiast World, this could well be the beginning of the end for Speedferries. There are people saying that crew members have been heard saying that they are struggling to cover the cost of fuel alone on some crossings due to the numbers being carried. Rumour also has it that Boulogne has beaten Dover to it with regards the seizure for unpaid debts.

It has been talked about for a while now that Speedferries must be slippery ice in terms of survival, especially with increased competition next year from LD Lines when they open a Dover to Boulogne route with a single ship and four departures per day (crossing time of 2 hours). LD Lines are well known for offering decent prices for decent quality service and ships.

You sound like you work for the ferry. French ferries are not nice in my opinion so hope speedferries carry on.:D
Also they still have approx 150 quid of my money.

ferryenthusiast

hiccup wrote: »

You sound like you work for the ferry. French ferries are not nice in my opinion so hope speedferries carry on.:D
Also they still have approx 150 quid of my money.

Hi

No I don't work for a ferry company. However I do have connections with LD Lines, P&O Ferries, Norfolkline & DFDS Seaways as I run a large UK based Ferry Enthusiast website which these companies feature on.

I do tend to agree that some French ferries are not very nice (Seafrance) they have some good ships (Rodin & Berlioz) but the crews don't seem to feel that they need to give good service. Brittany Ferries are excellent, but you end up paying a premium price for them.

LD Lines are a French company but unlike others use multi-national crews and actually flag (register) their ships in the UK and have to admit they are more of a budget carrier.

If I am honest I am not sure I can see Speedferries carrying on. Who would be prepared to purchase the company and operate an expensive fast craft when more competition is due in July 2009 when LD Lines opens their new service. Most larger operators are withdrawing their fast craft or reducing the service they operate with them due to the high costs and they have other routes etc to help support the fast cat costs. Speedferries have nothing but the one route.

ampersand

Thankyou ferryenthusiast for an insider's analysis, judicious - if saddening -for those of us who have been Speedferries' fans from the start.

itsnever2lateisit?

I would say that's the end sadly. E&Y are trying to sell it as a 'going concern' I cannot see how that can be achieved without a vessel. Boulogne have stated that they will not release it without a 'reasonable' payment whatever that means. For me it was the most convenient way to go after the demise of hoverspeed. The other Cos go the wrong way for me and Newhaven - Dieppe takes too long

itsnever2lateisit?

lolarentt wrote: »

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?

Would be good to hear from Martin on this one, but I think the Credit Card Cos have a get out, in that they might claim that you made multiple purchases @ £25 each rather than one purchase of £250:(

macca73

See their website, plus http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107348775256&ref=nf

keep the prices cheap!!

jcorbygas

I just joined the facebook group. I would actually rather that my £200 or so worth of unused trips were used towards helping them continue/customer buyout than having to try and get the money back.
I have been a loyal customer since they started and it has saved us loads of money on our many trips to our property in France, so I do not begrudge them the use of my money if it helps.

ferryenthusiast

Heres an interesting Press Release from France. I think given what is said here I am really doubtful as to Speedferries ever starting a service again or even anyone coming in to rescue Speedferries from the condition they are in. One thing it does say to me is that LD Lines may well now look at adding a second conventional ship when they start their service.

" [FONT=&quot]Pierre Gehanne has stated in the French press that he believes
SpeedFerries simply wasn't economically viable. He has also stated that
it is rather hard to hear of Curt Stavis' claims of LD Line receiving
more favourable treatment from the Boulogne port authorities when
firstly they aren't and secondly their service hasn't even begun yet.

He also reveals that Curt Stavis asked LD to rescue the company in July
and that LD could have had a controlling interest (I understand 51%
share) in the company for 1 million Euro (no doubt taking on their
liabilities too). It seems the company was already dying and LD offered
to go into partnership amalgamating the Speedferries operation with the
planned LD Line route. The catamaran would have been withdrawn and a
second conventional ferry provided. Three days later Curt said yes but
only if they kept the catamaran.

This meant no deal as LD Line do not believe in catamarans stating they
use too much fuel and believe that the route is only viable with mixed
freight and passengers.

Pierre Gehanne cites the high oil prices of recent times as killing
SpeedFerries, stating that such a small firm does not have the resources
to deal such events.

Interestingly the French subsidiary (employing 14) is not yet in
administration but is expected to follow.

Source La Voix Du Nord"[/FONT]

jimjam10

Oh dear that's sush a shame its all gone pear-shaped. Great service, used it a good few times. Shame that commercial realities often get in the way of a good service (yeh like not making enough profit, doh...well put your prices up a bit then...dont keep tempting me with ever lower fares.....)