Eurotunnel wins appeal to keep running its cross-Channel ferries
EUROTUNNEL has won an appeal to keep sailing the three cross-Channel ferries it bought last year from SeaFrance.
The group, which also operates the rail tunnel between France and the UK, said the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s decision “is a victory for the consumer”.
The Competition Commission said over the summer that Eurotunnel should be banned from docking its ferries at Dover over antitrust concerns.
Eurotunnel bought the vessels for €65m (£53.9m) last year from Sea France, which had fallen into administration. The Competition Commission claimed that it made the purchase to prevent rivals from improving their own fleets.
Eurotunnel, which operates the three ships under the MyFerryLink brand, competes with DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries on the crossing.
Chief exec Jacques Gounon said yesterday’s ruling “recognises the benefits and practicalities of our presence in the maritime cross-Channel market”.
Law firm RPC advised Eurotunnel during its appeal.