Ferry buyer name delay

French authorities will not reveal the name of the company which will take over the financially troubled French ferry company Emeraude Lines until Wednesday.

A tribunal in St Malo has been considering three bids - two French firms and one from Jersey.

However, two of the bidders, including the one from Jersey, pulled out of negotiations on Friday, leaving only Soge Trans in the running.

But Jersey's Harbours president, Senator Len Norman, says there are other firms who would like to operate on the route, but he is refusing to give further details until the results of the Emeraude hearing have been announced.

Administration threat

There has been discussion about whether the firm which takes over will settle Emeraude Lines' Jersey debts.

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

Last month, Emeraude's car ferry, Solidor Five, was impounded by the authorities for failing to pay harbour dues.

It was released later, but the decision to impound the car ferry led to a motion of no confidence in the Harbours and Airport Committee which the committee survived by one vote.

If none of the bids are considered good enough, Emeraude Lines could be placed in administration.