warbuff1 Posted 16 November , 2008 Share Posted 16 November , 2008 Dont know if any Pals aware but sad to say that Speedferries who operate the excellent (and fast) service from Dover to Boulogne have gone into administration!! Apparently they had their one and only ship seized by the Port of Boulogne for non payment of fees and taxes. Thier website gives details and that sailings cancelled till 18th November and if you hold a ticket after that( which i do for next April at bargain price of £60 return) to await further info on future sailings etc Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burlington Posted 16 November , 2008 Share Posted 16 November , 2008 A great shame. I use them a lot. I am a bit surprised about the City of Boulogne though. If Speedferries have to be wound up, then it will lose it's only maritime link and very many passengers passing through, plus their spending power, and the taxes etc etc. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 16 November , 2008 Share Posted 16 November , 2008 Bad news. I use them every time, and I've two sets of Supersaver vouchers with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbuff1 Posted 16 November , 2008 Author Share Posted 16 November , 2008 Yea found them excellent. Bought my tickets well in advance and got the supersaver too. Lets keep our fingers crossed that somone will step in but in the current climate things will be doubtful i feel. You can bet your life P&O will be putting up prices for those having to re book at last minute Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPotter Posted 16 November , 2008 Share Posted 16 November , 2008 A great shame I have used them several times myself and always thought the ferries and passage excellent, though the facilities at either end left a little to be desired ... Still this would be a sad loss as I always liked to start my trips with a visit to the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, which is just a short distance from the terminal (though I never managed to make it short whilst trying to find it in the car!) Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 16 November , 2008 Share Posted 16 November , 2008 Not good news at all, and especially as I have a booking for one of their sailings next weekend. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank_East Posted 16 November , 2008 Share Posted 16 November , 2008 Dont know if any Pals aware but sad to say that Speedferries who operate the excellent (and fast) service from Dover to Boulogne have gone into administration!! Apparently they had their one and only ship seized by the Port of Boulogne for non payment of fees and taxes. Thier website gives details and that sailings cancelled till 18th November and if you hold a ticket after that( which i do for next April at bargain price of £60 return) to await further info on future sailings etc Wayne The last I heard was that the company were negotiating with the Boulogne port authorities regarding settlement of the debt. But then in the background was the news that LD lines are to put on a Dover/Boulogne service and that the Port of Boulogne were to provide the docking and passenger terminal facilities for the enterprise. As they say,its a funny old world Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 16 November , 2008 Share Posted 16 November , 2008 That is a GREAT shame - it was the only service we used because OH sufffers with seasickness and we liked to get across as quickly as possible (I don't like the tunnel!!). It also had EXCELLENT prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 As above - have used them for years now, fast, cheap and comfortable with no hordes of coach travellers. They really shook up the antiquated ticket system and pricing of the big boys - hope a rescue package comes through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 I used them from their 2nd week of service and have always had a decent service from them. The reason they went into administration is that the Port of Dover put the boot in about unpaid fees this side. That's was what led to the fold. The Speedferries website also alluded to the fact that the Port of Boulogne was not giving them a level playing field regarding port fees. A French High Speed Service is also being started from Boulgone and the website alluded that the French Operator would get cheaper fees and that the Port was in danger of being anti competitive. So there are all sorts of games going on. Cross channel fees are apparently the highest ferry fees in the world and we get very poor VFM from the near monopoly operators. Speedferries tried to break the mould and were blocked in every way by the other operators (including physically, with ships taking their moorings). Shameful state of affairs for the poor blo*dy traveller. Gunner Bailey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Just talked to Speedferries about our booking for next weekend. They say they are in administration and cannot advise me of the possibility of the ferry running at all until the middle of the week. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
healdav Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 I used them from their 2nd week of service and have always had a decent service from them. The reason they went into administration is that the Port of Dover put the boot in about unpaid fees this side. That's was what led to the fold. The Speedferries website also alluded to the fact that the Port of Boulogne was not giving them a level playing field regarding port fees. A French High Speed Service is also being started from Boulgone and the website alluded that the French Operator would get cheaper fees and that the Port was in danger of being anti competitive. So there are all sorts of games going on. Cross channel fees are apparently the highest ferry fees in the world and we get very poor VFM from the near monopoly operators. Speedferries tried to break the mould and were blocked in every way by the other operators (including physically, with ships taking their moorings). Shameful state of affairs for the poor blo*dy traveller. Gunner Bailey I only hope that the other operators don't go back to their cartel that they operated so profitably for so many years. Speedferries made them bring the prices down to vaguely towards reasonable, but if they go........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Three months ago, staff at Dover were discussing the real possibility of another ferry being bought by the company, and from what I picked up, they were very close to sealing the deal. I've got both 'peak' and off-peak' supersaver vouchers with them with about eighteen months to run on both. I seriously hope that they will be redeemable! Otherwise it's £250 up the spout! I reveived another e-mail last week offering another reduced rate voucher - so they were trading last Thursday. I hope no-one bought those vouchers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Andy - please keep us informed of how things pan out. Was just about to book for Easter this week... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Bailey Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Three months ago, staff at Dover were discussing the real possibility of another ferry being bought by the company, and from what I picked up, they were very close to sealing the deal. I've got both 'peak' and off-peak' supersaver vouchers with them with about eighteen months to run on both. I seriously hope that they will be redeemable! Otherwise it's £250 up the spout! I reveived another e-mail last week offering another reduced rate voucher - so they were trading last Thursday. I hope no-one bought those vouchers! Geraint I was tempted to but the previous week the Speedferry had been detained for a day as a part of the Port / company dispute. We heard about it from some friends who had to divert to Calais and buy a very expensive one way ticket on a boat. Speedferries sailed again for a few days before the arrest of the boat. If you bought your ticked using a credit card or a Visa linked debit card you should be able to get your money back (me too). Gunner Bailey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Thanks GB - hadn't thought about that. I thought that credit card rebates only lasted six weeks from date of purchase? I'm beyond that. A real shame. 'Fight the pirates'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Max, Speedferries have just telephoned me regarding my enquiry this morning. The company went into administration on the 12/11/08 and the administrators are apparently looking for a buyer at the present time. They cannot advise me of anything further until at least late Thursday. So by Friday morning, I have been advised, they will either know if there has been a buyer for the company found, or, Speedferries go into liquidation. The member of staff advised me that even if a buyer had been found by late Thursday, he felt that it was unlikely that there would be sailings this weekend, advising me to book another crossing, and that the staff had been working since the 12th without any knowledge as to if they were going to be paid for the work they had put in since the 12th. He also advised me that if the crossing I had booked came to over £100 and I had paid by credit card, the credit card company would re-imburse, but as I only booked a cheap weekend return, my outlay does not come to this amount so it certainly looks like the outlay for this ticket will have been lost. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Have also phoned and was told that the present situation should be resolved one way or another within the week, and any credit card redemptions should be held back until then. There was 'a possibility' of an interested party, but probably a forlorn hope! The operator suggested that the Supervoucher flexy multy trip vouchers "probably" qualified for the £100+ credit card rebate, but wasn't too sure. I would suggest that one contacts the credit card people now, but not ask for a rebate until Speedferry's future is legally formalised. disclaimer - this is my interpretation and should not be taken as advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Sunray Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 I travelled with them 3 years ago. Not really impressed. Far too cramped which makes it a pain to park up. I much prefer Norfolk Ferries who sail straight into Dunkirk which is even closer to Ieper, etc! You can sail for about £50 return or even less if you're prepared to travel at O Dark Hundred Hours. Not as crowded as the Calais route, either. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hudsonswhistle Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 I travelled with them 3 years ago. Not really impressed. Far too cramped which makes it a pain to park up. I much prefer Norfolk Ferries who sail straight into Dunkirk which is even closer to Ieper, etc! You can sail for about £50 return or even less if you're prepared to travel at O Dark Hundred Hours. Not as crowded as the Calais route, either. Steve Quiet agree Steve I always use Norfolk line, it is actually £19.00 each way as i do travel at O Dark Hundred Hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnreed Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 I also agree, I travelled out on the 9th November and returned on the 12th sailing time 08:00 hrs on the 9th. £39.00 return! I am slightly biased as I only live 1 hour from Dover. Always use Norfolk Line. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 oooo - just looking at the Norfolk Line website now and they're starting a Rosyth to Zebrugge route in Spring 2009 - good for our fellow Scots people!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank_East Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Over the years I have sailed with every ferry from Hull down to Plymouth.I always look for the best price according to my destination.Speedferries tried hard to provide a service but were competing against the big boys and a disadvantage was that the company did not handle freight. I think that there was some indication that all was not well with Speedferries when forward ticket sails were offered. (Sea France shortly afterwards also adopted the same sales model but it may not be available now.) But in my opinion,the recent offer (e mail not signed by Kurt) to use the Speedferries Casino indicated that ferry cash flow may have become critical. It looks as if LD Lines are to provide a Dover/Boulogne service which may not be encouraging for the Speedferries Administrator to find a buyer. What would be attractive to ferry users is for LD Lines to have a tilt at Brittany Ferries on the Western Channel routes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geraint Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 . Not as crowded as the Calais route, either. Steve Yeah, but it doesn't sail to Calais, it goes to Boulogne. Thus knocking half an hour off the route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 17 November , 2008 Share Posted 17 November , 2008 Frank LD are just putting a second ship onto Portsmouth le Havre. I have used their service several times now, and they certainly undercut BF by 50% or more most of the time. They are also integrated with, or own, the services from Newhaven which normally run at similar prices. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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