Court orders probe into SeaFrance's inactivity
November 23, 2011
A Paris court is to appoint a mediator to determine whether the necessary conditions are in place to allow SeaFrance to sail again.
The move follows legal action by the CFDT union against the decision to suspend SeaFrance’s activities, which it views as an illegal lock-out.
The cross-Channel’s operator’s vessels have been in dock since 15 November, the official explanation being that the safety of vessels, staff and property could not be guaranteed.
However, another reason is financial, with the company rumoured to only have enough cash flow to continue trading until 15 December.
By keeping vessels in dock it can economise on operating costs and be able to hold out until the end of January.
The union said the shutdown was ruining SeaFrance’s core business, with customers switching to competitors, and suggested it was part of a move by management to sabotage a takeover bid by a co-operative of the ferry operator’s workers.
IFW understands the mediator is expected to be appointed in the next couple of days and will work to a very short deadline.
The mediator’s task will be to meet the parties involved and evaluate if the conditions for a resumption in SeaFrance’s activities exist.
Earlier this week, the Nord Pas de Calais regional authority indicated it was ready to contribute around €10 million (US$13.5m) to the co-op’s takeover bid if the state and SNCF also pledged a financial commitment.
Following a meeting last weekend, French Transport Minister Thierry Mariani and a CFDT delegation agreed to exchange information on the bid and to try and find a partner to support it. They are due to meet again at the end of this week. France’s finance ministry is also involved in the consultations.
The Paris commercial court has invited new bids for SeaFrance to be submitted before 12 December.
Courtesy of IFW
