By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cross-Channel operator Eurotunnel plans to sell its MyFerryLink ferries to Danish operator DFDS Seaways.
Primarily run by a cooperative comprised of former SeaFrance employees known as SCOP SeaFrance, MyFerryLink has a fleet of two passenger vessels and a freight ship, which were acquired by Groupe Eurotunnel following the liquidation of its former close competitor SeaFrance in January 2012. The vessels recommenced service on the Dover-Calais route on 20 August 2012 and MyFerryLink operated up to 24 daily crossings on the route.
However, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) banned the company from continuing to operate the service in June 2014 on the grounds that it already operates rail transport services to passengers and freight customers and runs the Le Shuttle car carrier service. This January, Eurotunnel Group revealed it would sell the MyFerryLink business.
In a written statement on 7 June, Eurotunnel Group confirmed that it currently holds a ‘binding offer’ from DFDS to buy the Rodin and Berlioz passenger ferries.
“The Eurotunnel Group believes that the constructive manner in which DFDS conducted itself during the recruitment of ex SeaFrance personnel in 2012 gives hope for the best solution possible with regard to preserving employment1, without interruption to services,” said the company in a written statement.
Meanwhile, Eurotunnel Group has requested that competition authorities lift the current prohibition on its Nord Pas de Calais freight ship and instead allow it to be operated in coordination with the Fixed Link.
DFDS Seaways already operates a number of European ferry routes including Dover-Calais and Dover-Dunkirk.