Port of Calais closed following militant MyFerryLink action and burning blockades.

MyFerryLink workers strike following the sale of ships to DFDS. Following on from yesterdays announcement that the sale of the MyFerryLink ferries Rodin and Berlioz to DFDS had been completed, striking MyFerryLink workers have forced the port of Calais to close.  Burning blockades of roads approaching the port have been widely reported in the mainstream media.  The action comes on the eve of an expected announcement regarding the future crewing arrangements for the former SeaFrance vessels which until now where crewed by a workers co-operative of former SeaFrance workers (SCOP-SeaFrance).  The port of Dunkerque (Dunkirk) remains open with DFDS diverting one of their Calais vessels, Calais Seaways, to their in order to help clear a large backlog of traffic created as a result of Calais being closed.  Eurotunnel also appears to be operational again following a break in service earlier today. All P&O Dover-Calais services have stopped due to the … Read more

Eurotunnel accept offer for MyFerryLink ferries Rodin and Berlioz, SCOP-SeaFrance to be sold off by administrators

MyFerryLink's BERLIOZ seen on 25 August 2012. Image: Copyright © Ian Boyle.

MyFerryLink set to close within next 9 days. DFDS have announced today that Groupe Eurotunnel (GET) have formally accepted their offer for the MyFerryLink ships Rodin and Berlioz.  This follows the news earlier this month that the parties had entered a binding agreement for the sale of the ships.  DFDS have stated that the agreement is for a longterm bareboat charter commencing July the 2nd this year, but includes a put option which allows Eurotunnel to require DFDS to purchase both ships outright.  However, should DFDS be required to purchase the ships, the purchase price will be discounted by the amount already paid in charter fees. Earlier this month, it was announced that the workers cooperative which operates the MyFerryLink service, SCOP-Seafrance, had been placed into administration.  The current operating agreement between SCOP-Seafrance and Eurotunnel expires on July the 1st this year, and there is currently no agreement for any of … Read more

Naxos Jet (ex Seacat Scotland) | Seajets

SEACAT SCOTLAND

SEACAT SCOTLAND was 5th and final of Hoverspeed’s 74m “Seacat” car carrying catamarans built by International Catamarans (InCat) in Australia. She was launched on the 29th October 1991 and inaugurated the new Belfast – Stranraer service on 1st of June 1992.

Official: Eurotunnel to sell MyFerryLink ferries Rodin and Berlioz to DFDS.

MyFerryLink ferries Berlioz and Rodin sold to DFDS

DFDS to operate ex SeaFrance vessels Berlioz and Rodin from July 2nd The brief but controversial history of English Channel operator MyFerryLink appears to be entering its final chapter.  Eurotunnel have confirmed that they have agreed the terms and conditions for the sale of the ships Rodin and Berlioz on a let to buy basis.  The operation of the 3 year old MyFerryLink service has been subject to a long running legal battle in the English courts, following its formation from the ashes of what had been SeaFrance. At present the entire MyFerryLink fleet of 3 ships appears to have been laid up at Calais, whilst in Dover both Calais Seaways (ex Prins Filip, P&OSL Aquitaine, etc) and Malo Seaways (ex Stena Nordica, European Ambassador) also appear to have been taken out of service.  Speculation had suggested that P&O and Stena had expressed interest in acquiring Rodin and Berlioz, however many believed a … Read more

Calais hit by industrial action (again)

3/4/14 In general ferry news, Calais was blockaded overnight as a result of industrial action.  Limited services have been running from mid morning but nonessential travel is being discouraged.  There are reports of long tailbacks of traffic, and DFDS have switched Calais Seaways to Dunkerque.  MyFerryLink appear to be running Berlioz only at present whilst P&O services are facing significant delays. All the big NI services appear to be running as normal today.