French Shipping giant Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) has launched a bid to take control of SeaFrance.
It plans to merge the troubled ferry operator with its own ferry subsidiary, LD Lines.
LDA said it is very confident jobs could be safe-guarded through the creation of an enlarged group, which would bear the name of SeaFrance but incorporate LD Lines’ Portsmouth-Le Havre, Newhaven-Dieppe, Dover-Boulogne and Dover-Dieppe network of ferry services.
Earlier this month, SeaFrance’s owner, French rail operator SNCF, revealed it was facing financial difficulties because of the effects of strike action, the rising cost of fuel and the economic downturn.
LDA said the newly formed group would be able to face intense competition on the channel routes during the current difficult economic trading conditions.
LD Lines launched a twice-daily service between Dover and Boulogne and daily service between Dover and Dieppe on February 12.
The Dover–Boulogne sailing frequency will increase to six return sailings daily from July 1 when LD Lines introduces a second ship to the route, which will also inaugurate the Port of Boulogne’s new Ro Ro terminal, currently under construction.
By Bev Fearis
