Myferrylink (old Seafrance)

ikr2

I am wondering whether to book with My Ferrry Link for an August trip. They are more competitve than P&O but are still in a legal battle over their ownership by Eurotunnel.

I emailed My Ferry Link over the weekend and the reply (below) is somewhat reassuring. Does anyone know more about this?

"Thank you for your email dated 5/4/2015 regarding the current situation with the Competition Commission. I am pleased to confirm the following summary of the facts:

Groupe Eurotunnel acquired some of the former assets of SeaFrance from the liquidator. A reference was made to the Competition Commission (CC), following a complaint by DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries. The CC found that there was the potential for fare rises if the level of competition reduced on the Dover-Calais route, and concluded that Eurotunnel should divest themselves of their commercial interest in MyFerryLink within 6 months.

We appealed this decision successfully on the grounds that the CC did not have jurisdiction because it was not a merger of two companies, but simply a purchase of assets. The Competition Appeal Tribunal agreed. They quashed the CC decision, but referred it back to the CC for further investigation.

The CC has now provisionally said it believes they do have jurisdiction and so we are in discussion with them to find a solution. A final decision is due to be announced at the beginning of 2015. After that process, were we to lose, would our future financing and ownership come under question. There would then be a timetable for change of ownership or an alternative solution.

In the meantime we are seeking financing/ ownership alternatives, as well as following the legal process. So in regard to your booking:

1) Nothing will be resolved in the foreseeable future, with our services continuing into Summer 2015.

2) If we were ever in a position in the future of not being able to honour any booking, it is likely to that there would be a refund, or transfer to another operator.

3) We are very optimistic that a satisfactory solution will be achieved.

We have brought an interesting alternative offer to cross-channel customers, and provide highly attractive fares, as well as the highest rated quality of service of any operator currently."

mgdavid

I believe from another forum that the court's appeal verdict is due out on May 16th (I may be a day or two adrift). It doesn't sound good as the CC say they clearly have too high a proportion of cross-channel traffic to be good for competition.
Personally I wouldn't book past mid-May, especially if it's just to save a few quid over P&O (whose boats are newer and better anyway IMO).