Offers made for ferry firm

The Solidor Five ferry was seized over company debts of £319,000

A number of companies have made offers to invest in the Emeraude Lines ferry company.

A French court administrator told Senator Len Norman, president of Jersey's Harbours and Airport Committee, that she had received a number of expressions of interest in the firm.

The administrator, Sophie Gautier, was appointed by a St Malo court after the company filed for bankruptcy protection.

Madame Gautier was in Jersey to talk about the company after arriving on the Solidor Five ferry, the vessel impounded by Jersey's Harbours Department for non-payment of dues two and a half weeks ago.

Money owed

As well as meeting Senator Norman, Madame Gautier met two representatives from Emeraude Lines, including Jersey manager Gordon Forrest.

Senator Norman said his meeting with her went well in terms of firms looking to invest in Emeraude.

He said he had been told offers for the company must be in by 3 November.

"What was equally important was that she said she had already received a number of expressions of interest which she thought to be very serious indeed. So, that has got to be considered extremely good news."

It is understood a decision on the way forward for the company will be decided a few weeks after the 3 November deadline.

Relations damaged

The Solidor Five ferry was seized after Emeraude Lines went to court in St Malo to get protection from bankruptcy. The firm is understood to owe millions of euros.

Although it was subsequently released by Jersey's Harbours Department, Senator Ted Vibert claimed the action damaged Jersey's relationship with France.

Senator Norman said the Harbours Department had had little option other than to impound the vessel to force Emeraude's directors to explain how they would pay the money owed.

He told the States the unpaid harbour dues from the ferry company amounted to about £319,000 to the period up to 6 October.

He said this could have risen to close to £500,000 by the end of December if the Harbours Department had not seized it.