Speedferries in trouble?

[touching cloth]

Odd happenings at Dover for Speedferries, LM clearly a long way off yet but if you have bookings you might want to keep an eye on developments in case you want to protect with a backup booking.

http://www.speedferries.com/index.php

[Munter]

So services are running now? It seems to imply that the Ferry is still in France and has not moved since....

Does this mean the French are now officially Pirates?

[touching cloth]

No, no services running don't think - "SpeedFerries finds itself in a position where it is unable to inform its customers, employees or business partners, of a firm date for the resumption of services." And they only have the 1 boat still I think, so are pretty fooked unless they can sort it out sharpish.

[blueST]

The fact that you can't make any bookings would indicate to me that they are not certain of resuming a service at all.

[spdpug98]

Just read this on beermountain.com, I have already booked with Speedferries for 2009 so hope this gets sorted

[936ADL]

Have the pirates won?

Seems a shame. The service was a bit shonky, but somehow it seemed to fit in with the Le Mans experience.

Fingers crossed they get things sorted

[lazyitus]

spdpug98 said:

I have already booked with Speedferries for 2009 so hope this gets sorted

Me too.

Doesn't look good though, if I'm honest.

[touching cloth]

Ft have it, not much more info but they surmise that they "look set to become another industry casualty"..

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/67ed5e58-acef-11dd-971e-...

[James_N]

936ADL said:

Have the pirates won?

Seems a shame. The service was a bit shonky, but somehow it seemed to fit in with the Le Mans experience.

Fingers crossed they get things sorted

I actually found their service very good and very speedy. The only downside was having to climb out the fng sunroof on occasions they pack you in that tightly!!

[andyps]

Hadn't booked for Le Mans yet as I am not sure what day I am going, but I have a 10 crossing superticket out of which I have 6 unused so hope they get things resolved. As a fairly regular channel crosser I have used Speedferries because of their cost and with the exception of 2 weeks ago when the crossing to France was very rough (not exactly their fault as they don't control the weather) always found them to be very good - and even on that journey the staff were brilliant, clearing up after people all crossing.

The main problem I see is that if they go, the other operators will take the opportunity of one less competitor to put their prices up, particularly as Speedferries pricing policies almost certainly reduced the prices charged by everyone else.

[john2443]

Used them a few times and found them pretty good - food was dodgy and expensive, but that's true on all ferries anyway, and for a 40 min crossing it doesn't matter much anyway.

T'would be a shame if they go under, althought I have always wondered how they did it so cheap!

[odyssey2200]

website said:

disputes with the Port regarding:

A) Substantial counterclaims towards the Port which have been entirely ignored by the French authorities, and

B) Serious competition and discriminatory issues in relation to the Port’s dealings with a French ferry operator preparing to start-up a Dover-Boulogne service.

Surely not a case of the French trying to look after their own at the expense of the rest?

[Chester Drawers]

odyssey2200 said:

website said:

disputes with the Port regarding:

A) Substantial counterclaims towards the Port which have been entirely ignored by the French authorities, and

B) Serious competition and discriminatory issues in relation to the Port’s dealings with a French ferry operator preparing to start-up a Dover-Boulogne service.

Surely not a case of the French trying to look after their own at the expense of the rest?

To which the Port Authority commented that they had warned Speedferries on numerous occasions but Speedferries had failed to act. My take on this one is that Speedferries owe the Port of Bolougne a pack of money and the French have got fed up waiting for it. Speedferries have no real right to enjoy a monopoly and the French can add other service providers is they wish.

At present I'm enjoying a visit home to the UK which has been slightly buggered up now as I'm supposed to be returning with Speedferries (I arrived on the last crossing on Thursday, the 15:00 from Bolougne, it was the trip after my one that got arrested) So far I've heard feck all from Speedferries, no phone call, no email, nada. Customer service seems a tad wanting

[lazyitus]

Assuming Speedferries are not going to sail again, what do you think the chances are of getting money back for the booking to LeMans ?

fk all or next to fk all ?

[Munter]

lazyitus said:

Assuming Speedferries are not going to sail again, what do you think the chances are of getting money back for the booking to LeMans ?

fk all or next to fk all ?

Not a lot. Unless you booked with a credit card. You did book with a credit card right?

[lazyitus]

I'll need to check. Can't remember if it was Debit or Credit.

[lazyitus]

euroboy said:

lazyitus said:

Assuming Speedferries are not going to sail again, what do you think the chances are of getting money back for the booking to LeMans ?

fk all or next to fk all ?

You SHOULD get it back - they have already promised to refund my card ASAP.

Ah. Have you spoken to them or were you emailed ? Are they indicating that any monies paid for future trips will be reimbursed automatically ?

Edited by lazyitus on Monday 10th November 11:33

[touching cloth]

euroboy said:

lazyitus said:

Assuming Speedferries are not going to sail again, what do you think the chances are of getting money back for the booking to LeMans ?

fk all or next to fk all ?

You SHOULD get it back - they have already promised to refund my card ASAP.

I'd wager it's a different situation though, yours was a trip they failed to complete whilst still an operating company, if they go under with pending bookings it will be the administrators who pick up the pieces and I would guess individuals will come pretty low down the list of debtors. Try to cancel a future booking now and I would guess it will come down to the terms of the booking, if a non flexi booking it will be a non starter, unless they have confirmed for sure that that sailing will not be happening.

Edited by touching cloth on Monday 10th November 11:36

[lescombes]

This has been on the cards for months........LD ferries are muscling in on Boulogne

[Davwlk]

Straight from the Speedferries web site


Travel News

Tuesday 11th 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