SpeedFerries facing legal battle over Dover Harbour Board debt
DOVER Harbour Board is set to take legal action against embattled ferry firm SpeedFerries over a 'substantial' unpaid bill for use of the Western Docks.
Last week the under-fire company saw its only vessel SpeedOne impounded at the French port of Boulogne in a row over debts owed to authorities there.
The ship's seizure forced the no-frills operator to cancel all sailings indefinitely while it attempts to negotiate a settlement with the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce.
The ship is still tied up in Boulogne and talks between have not so far achieved a compromise deal to get the service running again.
Now industry sources have confirmed SpeedFerries, which is run by Danish entrepreneur Curt Stavis, is facing a fight with the authorities at the Port of Dover over what has been described as a "substantial six-figure sum".
Rumours at the port are suggesting a debt of around £250,000 in unpaid rent.
A spokesman for Dover Harbour Board refused to comment on the unpaid bill. He said: "It is company policy not to discuss customer relationships with the media."
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by Cramorra, Isle of Wight
Thursday, December 18 2008, 10:27PM
“Sad- it was the only appropriate way of travel for sportscar enthusiasts....
They always catered for ow riding sports cars”
by Richard, London
Saturday, November 29 2008, 3:40AM
“I actually only sailed with SpeedFerries twice, but on both occations found their staff very polite and helpful & I definately would have sailed with them again in the future. It is blatently obvious that they were forced out of business by LD Lines, probably with "help" from the port of Boulogne, as the vast majority of cross channel customers are British we must vote with our feet! I will never, ever travel with LD Lines, no matter how cheap their tickets are, the service offered by P&O is very poor so I will stick with Sea France - they provide a decent meal on board and unlike the slop provided byP&O, there is space to sit down and eat it too.”
by Peter, dover
Monday, November 17 2008, 8:42PM
“He didnt pay his bills, therefore had a big advantage over his so called"pirate" rivals who paid what they owed, its easy to offer low cost tickets if you are not paying your way. Think Speedferries have been found out as the real Pirates”
by Stuart Kelly, Sutton Coldfield
Monday, November 17 2008, 5:17PM
“People who bought Supertickets with their credit card are probably covered by the card company who will be jointly liable”
by Albert Gray, London
Sunday, November 16 2008, 6:40PM
“Sad to see them get into difficulties, hopefully they might get another chance at offering a very good value service. Best of luck to the company and staff.”