Talks are held over ferry seizure

SpeedFerries operates only one vessel on the cross-channel route

Talks are being held between a cross-channel fast ferry operator and French officials after the company's vessel was seized over unpaid taxes and fees.

SpeedFerries is hoping the deadlock with the Boulogne Port Authority can be broken after four days of cancellations for its only vessel.

SpeedOne, which is based in Dover, was seized in Boulogne on Thursday.

Managers from SpeedFerries had been due to meet port officials to discuss the outstanding payments the following day.

A SpeedFerries spokeswoman said: "The meeting is between ourselves and our lawyers, along with the port authority, to try and thrash out whatever concerns they have.

"It was a bit optimistic for us to think that this could have been resolved at the weekend but we hope to be in a better position later to explain what has gone on."

Low-cost operator

Last week SpeedFerries chief executive officer, Curt Stavis, said the seizure was "totally unexpected" and came after the authorities had given a written assurance that no legal steps would be taken before the meeting.

But Boulogne Chamber of Commerce, which is also the Boulogne Port Authority, said the ship broker representing its account had obtained an order enabling the ship to be seized in lieu of the outstanding taxes and fees.

It said SpeedFerries had been notified of the order for "some considerable time" but that it had taken no measures to avert SpeedOne's seizure.

In a statement on Friday, the chamber of commerce said it was open to all solutions to resolve the dispute.

SpeedFerries was set up in 2004 as a low-cost operator and has one route between Dover and Boulogne.