MYFERRYLINK launched its new Dover to Calais ferry service last Monday, competing directly with P&O Ferries and DFDS on the world’s busiest sea lane route.

 

The newly-formed ferry operator has launched the ‘Berlioz’, ‘Rodin’ and ‘Nord-pas de Calais’ ferries in this new service, with the latter vessel coming into operation later this year.

 

The new service has been created from what was left of the bankrupt SeaFrance Ferries operation, where staff have been reinstated and practices have been changed. got jobs back. MYFERRYLINK will now operate eight return sailings a day compared to ten from DFDS and 26 from P&O Ferries.

 

The new operation is owned by Eurotunnel which has paid €65m for the three vessels after the Paris Commercial Court ruled on Monday June 11 to accept the offer made by Eurotunnel following the administration of the SeaFrance group, announced on January 9 2012.

 

Groupe Eurotunnel which is operating the company independently from its tunnel operations says it will be able to create 500 jobs in the Calais region and about a hundred in the UK. It adds that the ferries will need a technical overhaul before being brought into commercial service, as SeaFrance was unable to complete necessary maintenance work before being placed into administration.

 

Jacques Gounon, Chairman and CEO of Groupe Eurotunnel, stated: “I am delighted that the pragmatic approach taken by Eurotunnel has convinced the Commercial Court. This will aid economic development and will further support the transport of people and goods between the continent and Great Britain”.

 

The new ‘La Boutique’ operation on all three ships will be offering travel retail products, including wines and spirits, fragrances, sweets and chocolates, toys and souvenirs and claims its opries are very competitive and ‘especially on perfumes, chocolates and alcohol’.