18 March 2009

LD Lines withdraws SeaFrance bid

LD Lines has withdrawn its bid for rival SeaFrance, claiming it was uncertain as to the real intentions of the seller, SNCF.

The ferry operator also blamed its decision on opposition of the unions, claiming they ââ¬Åâœexpressed fierce objections without even knowing or asking to know the content of LD Lines' offerââ¬~.

LD had planned to buy a controlling stake in SeaFrance and create a "Large SeaFrance", combining the existing ferry services of SeaFrance with LD Lines, the head-office of which would have been in Calais.

This newly-formed group would have operated under the SeaFrance name.

ââ¬ÅâœThis true industrial project, in LD Lines' view, was a guarantee for the future of the company and for the employment in the Nord / Pas de Calais region,ââ¬~ said an LD statement.

ââ¬ÅâœLD Lines deeply regrets that its industrial project could not be implemented within the required time frame. However, the company sincerely hopes that SNCF will find a suitable solution to ensure the future of SeaFrance, a leading French shipping company, as well as to safeguard the largest possible number of jobs.ââ¬~


By Bev Fearis

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