DFDS MAKES AN OFFER FOR PART OF THE BUSINESS OF SCOP SEAFRANCE
DFDS files an offer for SCOP Seafrance to operate a vessel on the Calais- Dover route
After taking the necessary time to consider the interests of all stakeholders, DFDS confirms that it filed an offer today to the administrators of SCOP Seafrance. If accepted, this offer is expected to result in 202 jobs for SCOP Seafrance employees.
It would also mean that DFDS would operate three vessels between Calais and Dover: One of the current ships on the route plus the newly chartered vessels RODIN and BERLIOZ.
DFDS would thereafter employ 1000 French staff, hereof 650 in Calais, and operate nine ships, including five under the French flag, on four routes from France.
Niels Smedegaard, CEO of DFDS, commented: "Given the overcapacity in the market, DFDS had originally planned to operate two ships on the route in order to adapt the capacity to the market situation. However, following our dialogue with various stakeholders, we have decided to make an offer for part of SCOP Seafrance, and thus attempt to save more than 200 jobs by operating three ships instead. DFDS has been in the French ferry market for 15 years, and in recent years with ships under the French flag and with French crews. We are very pleased with the loyalty, skills and commitment of our crews, including the many former employees of Seafrance, and we are committed to continue developing a sustainable and long-term business in France that can benefit all of our employees, customers, and partners in the Calais region."