FERRY operators at the Port of Dover have described their relationship with harbour authorities as "seriously damaged" by an escalating row over the port's future.

P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and Norfolkline, in a letter to Dover Harbour Board (DHB) chief executive Bob Goldfield, describe the situation between the port authority and themselves as "untenable".

One ferry company director said he could not recall a time when relations between the board and its customers had reached such a low.

He said: "In all my years of involvement at the Port of Dover I have never known a ding-dong like this between the ferry companies and the harbour board."

The growing dispute over financial matters relating to Terminal 2 expansion plans and proposed privatisation has seen the big-three ferry operators unite behind a threat to sue DHB under maritime legislation for abuse of its dominant position.

Responding to the claims by operators, a DHB spokesman said: "We were extremely surprised to receive a joint letter from P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and Norfolkline claiming that Dover Harbour Board has abused its monopoly powers.

"We were even more surprised and disappointed that customers, with whom we are still in the process of holding private discussions in relation to negotiating a new price path for tariffs, would appear to have briefed the press before we were aware of the letter."