Concern over ferry firm debts

A decision will be made on the ferry company's future this week

The President of Jersey's Harbours and Airport Committee says islanders owed money by Emeraude Ferries may not get it back if the troubled shipping firm is taken over.

Emeraude filed for protection from bankruptcy in St Malo in October with debts said to be in the region of four million euros.

A tribunal on who should take over Emeraude is to sit in St Malo on Wednesday.

However, Senator Len Norman said his committee might take into account how the company intends to pay creditors in Jersey before granting permission to land on the island.

'No-win situation'

There is already an existing bid from French company Compagnie Nationale de Navigation. A Jersey family has also put in a bid for the firm.

Senator Norman says whoever takes over the firm will have to apply for a licence to use the ramps at St Helier Harbour.

He says in awarding a licence, the committee will take into account how they intend to pay Jersey creditors.

The chairman of the Save Emeraude Group has said any new operator on the Jersey to France route should not be allowed to sail if creditors are not paid.

Sean Power says he hopes Senator Norman will consider not issuing a permit if the new owners fail to pay what they owed.

He said: "When 70% of the ferry's business comes from the island, I think they're in a no-win situation.

"I think they've forgotten one thing: they need a ramp permit to dock in Jersey and Senator Norman has the means not to transfer that to the new company."

The new owner of the company is due to be named by French court administrator Sophie Gautier.