Club Arnage

 :o
Taken from another topic.....

Basically it seems the French Government are also into ransom tactics that are usually reserved for lorry drivers, farmers and fishermen.

Allthough i dont know the full story or the extent of the debt but it seems a little un-fair of the actions taken.

I seem to remember the Port of Bologne Sur Mer being very happy at Speed Ferries running and providing tourism and revenue to their port, which was once a bust and thriving port. Shameful, but that would be very true of some of the countries attitudes. Its ironic, as i'm sure there are French employees who will be effected by this!!

Latest Travel News

7 November 2008 09:00

Arrest of SpeedOne by the Port Authorities in Boulogne

Yesterday afternoon, shortly after 17:00 UK time, the Port authorities of Boulogne arrested SpeedFerries’ SpeedOne during its turnaround. The arrest was made on the basis of SpeedFerries Limited’s debts to the port in relation to port dues and taxes.

The arrest was totally unexpected, as the authorities had given written confirmation that no legal steps would be taken prior to a meeting planned for 10:00 today. At this meeting SpeedFerries in consultation with its bankers and financial advisors, were to present a proposal for a resolution of the issues relating to outstanding dues and taxes, as well as 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.

The authorities informed the SpeedFerries staff on site that the arrest was carried out despite the written agreement, as “this would strengthen the negotiating position of the Port against SpeedFerries”.

As the actions of the Boulogne Port authorities are now proven to be unpredictable and inconsistent with their given guarantees, 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.

The company deeply regrets this situation and asks everyone affected to accept our sincere apologies. Further statements will be issued when more information of substance becomes available.

SpeedFerries Limited
Curt Stavis
Chief Executive Officer

been mentioned here -

http://www.clubarnage.com/forum/index.php?topic=9148.30

That is an excellent name for a CEO though.

Protectionist Barstewards

I would advise everyone not to go to Bologne.

Stuff the B's and their smelly town.

Been there twice, it stank.

If wasn't for us Brits, they'd be on their hands and knees grovelling.

I know this wont happen, but what if all Brits boycotted LM!  ??? I bet they would change their minds. After all, they are not the only country in Europe.

Hence why i started the wording with...

Taken from another topic........

Kev - You should have gone to spec savers. ;)

No more updates from Speedferries. Me thinks there is more to this than a bit of French protectionism.
I've always tried to work out how they can actually make any money
How many cars does their speed cat hold? if it was 400 at a price of £30 per car that's £12000 per trip.
Does it hold that many and is that enough of a profit
If it only holds 200 cars then that's only £6000 per trip!

Yes it looks like it has little or nothing to do with French protectionism. Speedferries haven't been paying their bills and that applies in Dover as well as in Boulogne. Seems the Port of Boulogne was the first to issue a writ for seizure.
Shame, Speedferries has been my preferred carrier for years now, and I have two unused return tickets, but I'd not put any money on them getting out of this one. Their finances must have been dodgy, as Garyfrogeye points out. Capacity is 200 cars - at £30 a car that makes £6000 per crossing - not a lot when you factor in fuel, staff costs, port fees and all the associated costs landside.

I have 8 crossings with them (bought 10 earlier this year). I hope the credit card company will stump up, once (if) Speedferries go tits up.

That's a point. My next years ticket is with them ???
But I have paid by credit card (i think)

The high cost of fuel must have hurt them more than most, as a seacat must do less mpg than a boat of the same capacity. 

They may have had a meeting with the Port authorities earlier today (tomorrow is a bank holiday), and there's no good news yet. They'll have to come up with cash to get the boat released

Hi Lorry,

Don't think i'll be on speedferries this year then!

Steve

Sorry guys, but I'm with KPY on this one. As a commercial operation if you don't pay your bills then your gonna face the firing squad... :(

The question of illegal subsidy to LD Lines is a (serious) seperate matter to be looked at, probably by the EU. However, I'd suggest that if LD owed Pompey Docks Authority a large sum of money for unpaid port fees then nobody here would complain too much if their boat was impounded by Court Order.

It's to easy to call the French pirates this time, but I really can't see wha they've done to bring such criticism.

Oh, and I trust we've all learned the lessons of Excel Airways and mindful of the lessons on refunds have all paid by credit card...  :-[

Me too - specifically because you can get out of Dover without a 1 hour queue through immigration/customs at the Eastern Docks (P&O et al). But wouldn't be surprised at cash flow problems - the bargain ticket releases used to be about once a year - recently they have been more like once a month.

Nothings being said about yesterdays talks, and its not over yet.

Looking at LDLines website, it looks like Boulogne have built them a nice new terminal and ramp.  I bet they're going to pay for it though.

LD Lines website says their Dover / Boulogne service will start from 1st July 2009.

THE SEA CAT that SF use carries at best 175 cars if they are all medium sized.200 onl if they have fiat 500's.

P&O had a 210 capacity boat that couldnt ever get more than 185 and that was after a small car rally.

They also run on better fuel than heavy oil used in cruise type ferries.( diesel to you and me ) .

I thought the actions were ransom, being they stated they wouldnt take action, but did a day early.

You keep to your words.

you mean like paying your bills on time, as per the contract you signed?

Latest news on their website today says that they are in ongoing talks with the Bolougne Chamber of Commerce. And that's pretty much all they say. Just a couple of lines.

More news is posted:

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/search/results.asp?search=Speedferries&submitsearch=Go

I have heard on the Strasa that SF also have outstanding rent/fees owing to Dover Port Athorities, this is rumored to be in the region of £250k!! This information was gleemed from a ferry enthusiasts site and not in anyway confirmed.

I'm afraid that the ongoing talks were with a judge and an administration order has been made.  Attempts are being made to sell the business - anyone interested?

Speedferries are now in administration.

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmbtJdT2vQn1lotQnP0gBfmDQXXA (http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmbtJdT2vQn1lotQnP0gBfmDQXXA)

and an official announcement on their website - http://www.speedferries.com/ (http://www.speedferries.com/)

Shame - used them a few times in the past, hope they manage to keep it as a going concern.

MG Mark

Andrew, you have a point. But. . .

For anybody with a Speedferries booking now rendered useless: (stolen from another forum with the quote translated by babelfish from the look of it)

"It is possible LD Lines might be offering a deal for those who had pre-booked with Speedferries. They don't operate from Dover yet, their nearest current route is Newhaven-Dieppe, but they plan to start Dover-Boulogne in 2009.

This is what Pierre Gehanne, CEO of the company says, talking about the Speedferries demise:

"At this stage there is not much we can do about it, except maybe welcome the passengers who had some booking arrangements with SF and who are unable to travel time being. I believe it could be fair to offer them some very special crossing fares if they wish so.

This being said it is no secret that we have been in contact with Curt Stavis early July, at his request, when SF was meeting some difficulties and, at the time, we offered Curt to help him to continue SF’s operations until sumer 2009 when Speedone would have been replaced by a standard ferry able to carry freight and passengers. Unfortunately Curt could not finally agree to this proposal and we all know the end of the story."

That's odd.

Their deal is almost bound to involve shelling out more dosh.

Anyway, I was expecting to claim the remaining 8 crossings back from credit card  :)

PS Good to read you Termie!!

My credit card company are investigating and said that I should get a claim form in the next ten days or so. Having said that, as theyre part of Citicorp, they may be on a bit of a sticky wicket themselves. ???

Latest news from the Speedferries web site:

"Notice to all Customers: Speedferries Limited (in Administration)

The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators, A Swarbrick and T Burton, who act as agents of the Company only and without personal liability.

Customers
All crossings have been cancelled until further notice.  It is anticipated that an update will be available on the website on 26 November 2008. Customers are advised to wait for further information on future crossings and to keep any pre-booked tickets.

We are pleased to confirm that the fast ferry the Speed One was released from arrest in France yesterday, pursuant to an order made by the Commercial Court in Boulogne. The release of the Speed One and its return to England will greatly assist in our efforts to achieve a sale of the business of Speedferries Limited (in Administration).

We will continue to keep you updated with developments in respect of the long term plans for Speedferries and notify you as soon as possible via the Company website if changes are proposed to be made which will affect your current position.

For further enquiries please contact customer services on 0871 222 7456 or refer to previous statements.

Angela Swarbrick and Tom Burton
Joint Administrators"

I wonder how much the Port of Bolougne will have charged them for the two week storage costs?

I bet they don't dare take it to Dover.  Every bailliff for a hundred miles will be waiting

Speed One is currently at Tilbury.
The French court lifted the seizure order because Speedferries is in administration. For the same reason the vessel cannot currently be seized in the UK.

Which if you drive is about 100 miles from Dover.

The next announcement is due on 26th, which will be the 13th day (lucky for some) of the administration and a Wednesday

Speedferries are now to close as unable to find a buyer.
Time to get your claims in!

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jiTtaGKMLrAPA8pIFyenHIulz4_w (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jiTtaGKMLrAPA8pIFyenHIulz4_w)

http://www.speedferries.com/ (http://www.speedferries.com/)

Yep, although the boat was a bit downmarket I preferred it over the longer ferry crossings. Also Boulogne was that much closer to LM.

I spoke to my credit card company yesterday, they said to do nothing until this announcement is made, then send them (snailmail) all receipts and evidence so they can process the claim. Discovered I have 6 tickets left out of 10 bought at the start of this year, so probably due for about £120. Bet that doesn't buy me 6 tickets on any of the others... >:(

I've 4 left from 9 bought in 2007 (at £44 / crossing) so £176 owed.  All evidence etc now printed out and on it's way to my card company.

LD Lines are very cheap though and are doing a Dover Bologne Sailing from July.

Bike tickets from £40.

A reminder that Sea France were doing very cheap crossings 2 or 3 weeks ago. With the demise of Speedferries they might not still be available though.
Don't forget eurotunnel are not yet running at anywhere near full capacity or speed, still repairing the fire damage.

On the credit card claiming front, I read something the other day (possibly on Moneysavingexpert.com or whatever it is called) saying that if what you bought was over £100 but made up of individual things under £100 (like 10 separate crossings) then the CC aren't liable.

Might be worth a little research if this affects you.   Luckily although I got a batch of emails from Speedferry (it was never really ferries was it?) I of course didn't actually get my act together enough to book anything, plus our trailer was I think over their length limit so I didn't buy any. 

LD lines are starting a new crossing from Dover to Dieppe soon as well as taking over the old Speedferries route to bolougne.

I've just rebooked using Eurotunnel £112.00 out on 11th at 9.20 and back on the 15th at 20.20.
Anyone else going on either of these two sailings tunnelings?

I've now had all my Speedferries saver ticket and LM bookings refunded by my bank.

Me too :)

What did you give them for evidence?  I am a bit slow off the mark with this one!!!

F

I have spoken to my contact in Bangalore and he is arranging for a claim form to be sent to me personally - at least I think that is what he said. :)

F

Bloody call centres.  >:(

I only sent my stuff this week. I sent a covering letter with the ticket numbers, told them which ones I'd used, and how much I thought I was due, with a copy of the booking confirmation.

In my case (having bought it using a credit card) I asked the card company for a claim form.
Then sent them with the claim form, a hard copy of my confirmation email from Speedferries along with the page from Speedferries website confirming that they had gone into receivership.
My card company then did an instant refund before investigating the claim. Only if the claim turns out to be unjustified do they then take it out of my account.
I really couldn't ask for better than that.

Received this yesterday: -


Landman

I called them up and they don't even do a price comparison, they are just a broker of travel company. You browse all the different ferry company's links on their website then just choose the company and the crossing that you require and then pay them. You do all the work What's the point in that!
They struck me as vultures picking over the bones of Speedferries.

Just got a claim form from my cc company - apparently they claim through Mastercard International, so they've sent me their form to complete and return. It says within 14 days. Maybe I should ask for the same when I return the claim.

Just for the record, the letter I have from the Administrators states that the reasons were essentially:

Company had incurred tax losses each year from 2004
Company had incurred trading losses of £15m from inception to July 2008
Dramatic fuel increase and decline in revenue during 2008
In October they had cash flow problems, being unable to hedge against very volatile fuel and not wanting to pass these costs on to customers. Also lower than forecast ticket and retail sales

Previous losses had been funded by existing shareholders who declined to give further support

Management entered discussions with c20 potential investors

Received a summons from Port of Boulogne for unpaid harbour fees of c £1.3m. Speed One arrested 6 Nov 2008.

As a result of the above, and inability to trade whilst the ship remained arrested, administrators were appointed.



Further down is a list of creditors, which includes:

Port of Boulogne £1.3m
Dover Harbour Board £238k
HMRC £1.1m     <<<"Our money" !!
plus a total of 134,753 pre-bought tickets worth £3.6m (which to me sounds like they'd oversold their capacity as well!!)

Yet further down there is the Directors Statement of Affairs, which the Administrators had to "reformat" (i.e. correct). The Directors state assets of £14.5m. The Administrators state £2.3m. This is due to a £12m "oversight" by the Directors. Astonishing!


Anyway, from the look of that sorry mess, if the French hadn't done it then someone else would have...