LD Lines seeks to acquire SeaFrance
Ferry Online Travel News 23/02/2009
The newest ferry line operating from the Kent port is looking to acquire a rival to save jobs.
LD Lines, which has launched service between Dover and the ports of Boulogne and Dieppe, has announced that it will be making a formal bid for SeaFrance.
SeaFrance sails to Calais, and revealed last week that it might need to cut 650 jobs on the French side following a sharp drop in cross-Channel freight.
French rail operator SNCF owns SeaFrance, and has said that no formal takeover bid has been received to date.
LD Lines spokesman Christophe Santini noted that the ferry operator was expanding, and it would be able to save as many as 350 jobs if it were to acquire SeaFrance.
On 12 February, LD Lines commenced its passenger and freight runs from Dover, some five months ahead of its scheduled date.
Currently, LD operates twice daily return services to Boulogne, and a once-daily service to Dieppe. With the addition of a second ferry from 1 July, the number of return crossings will rise to seven each day.
Last Tuesday, SeaFrance said that its restructuring programme could lead to as many as 650 job cuts, as it tries to survive the worsening economy.
According to Santini, if LD lines acquired SeaFrance the joined-up company would be a leading force in the European ferry industry, with its larger size making it possible to survive in the recession.
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