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uropean Ferries on't oppose hauliers
Page 5
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LAST THING European F rries would want to do is to m ve into competition with t ir own haulier customers, t e company's managing ector, Ken Siddle, told CM t week.
e was talking about rum o rs following a report linking E ropean Ferries' name with t lt of Chris Hudson (Inter n tional). This company, w ich operates around 500 trailers, went into receivership towards the end of last month. A major creditor is European F rries' Felixstowe-based subst iary, Atlantic Steam N vigation.
And Commodore European e, in which European Ferri s have a 50 per cent stake, ✓ ns a UK/France door to d or container service. European Ferries' Townsend Thoresen roll-on/roll-off service is now marketing this POrtsmouth/Le Havre route as a joint venture for three nlonths.
There has been speculation that this will mean that European Ferries will move ir to direct competition with hauliers and ro-ro operators — ir eluding their own Townsend Thoresen service. Now Mr Siddle has reiterated that it "remains company policy not to compete with our own customers, and nothing has happened to change this". But might not European Ferries decide to buy Chris Hudson?" he was asked. "It is an unlikely option to buy the company," he replied. "We have no intention of going in. The receiver hopes the company is viable. We would be delighted if someone bought it." He added later: "We don't know what our net involvement is yet, and doubt if the receiver does."
The explanation of the Commodore joint involvement is, he said, "taking an interest to gain experience in container shipping: one route, one ship for three months and all for experience. We are not buying experience in order to move in in four months' time. Our customers can use this service and don't see it as competition."
Talking of the future of roro on the Channel generally, Mr Siddle said that he foresaw price innovation and flexibility but no price war. What of the Channel tunnel? "I'll be dead before that comes," he said.