Post by ferryfast admin on Mar 18, 2006 22:59:46 GMT -5
British firm may buy ferry
Foreign media suggest it would be used for crossings to France
Brian Sharp
Staff writer
Democrat & Chronicle
www.democratandchronicle.com/
(March 18, 2006) — A newly formed company in England reportedly is negotiating to buy Rochester's high-speed ferry for service on the English Channel.
At least four separate media outlets in England and France linked Navmed Limited and the Rochester-controlled Spirit of Ontario in stories late this week. Navmed reportedly is interested in a ferry to run between Dover, England, and Boulogne, France. The ferry would be part of a three-ship operation to start in May between multiple ports.
Rochester spokesman and ferry board member Gary Walker said, however, that the city is not in final discussions with any company, and he left the validity of Navmed's claim in doubt.
"We've got movement. We've got interest. We've got serious talks with persons interested in the ferry," Walker said. "But we've got no done deal yet. ... We haven't entered into the end-game negotiations."
Mayor Robert Duffy decided Jan. 10 to end the Rochester-to-Toronto service and sell the ship after the operation lost $10 million in 10 months. The city-run Rochester Ferry Co. was broke and manager Bay Ferries Great Lakes LLC covered $3.2 million in expenses. Debt from the ferry venture exceeds $40 million, including the expense of buying the ship. The vessel remains docked at the Port of Rochester.
Navmed and its financial backers plan to invest more than $52 million (U.S.) in a plan that includes two other high-speed ferries crossing between Dover and Calais, France, and possibly other ports, the media reports said. The previous Dover-to-Calais service shut down in November, citing financial losses. The Dover-to-Boulogne route would duplicate a service in operation since May 2004, according to the respective company Web sites.
Navmed, also called Navmed-Highspeedferries and based in Folkestone, England, did not respond to an e-mail Friday. Attempts to locate a telephone number were unsuccessful.
Tom Richards, Rochester's corporation counsel, has said that he would not discuss details until a ferry deal is final.
City Councilman and ferry board President Benjamin Douglas also declined comment, saying the matter is "within the realm of whatever delicate negotiations are going on."
Should the ship be sold to a location outside the Great Lakes, it would be taken out through the St. Lawrence Seaway, which opens for the season Thursday. Seaway officials said the city has not contacted them about moving the ferry.
Walker said the city has no specific timetable for the ferry.
BDSHARP@DemocratandChronicle.com
Foreign media suggest it would be used for crossings to France
Brian Sharp
Staff writer
Democrat & Chronicle
www.democratandchronicle.com/
(March 18, 2006) — A newly formed company in England reportedly is negotiating to buy Rochester's high-speed ferry for service on the English Channel.
At least four separate media outlets in England and France linked Navmed Limited and the Rochester-controlled Spirit of Ontario in stories late this week. Navmed reportedly is interested in a ferry to run between Dover, England, and Boulogne, France. The ferry would be part of a three-ship operation to start in May between multiple ports.
Rochester spokesman and ferry board member Gary Walker said, however, that the city is not in final discussions with any company, and he left the validity of Navmed's claim in doubt.
"We've got movement. We've got interest. We've got serious talks with persons interested in the ferry," Walker said. "But we've got no done deal yet. ... We haven't entered into the end-game negotiations."
Mayor Robert Duffy decided Jan. 10 to end the Rochester-to-Toronto service and sell the ship after the operation lost $10 million in 10 months. The city-run Rochester Ferry Co. was broke and manager Bay Ferries Great Lakes LLC covered $3.2 million in expenses. Debt from the ferry venture exceeds $40 million, including the expense of buying the ship. The vessel remains docked at the Port of Rochester.
Navmed and its financial backers plan to invest more than $52 million (U.S.) in a plan that includes two other high-speed ferries crossing between Dover and Calais, France, and possibly other ports, the media reports said. The previous Dover-to-Calais service shut down in November, citing financial losses. The Dover-to-Boulogne route would duplicate a service in operation since May 2004, according to the respective company Web sites.
Navmed, also called Navmed-Highspeedferries and based in Folkestone, England, did not respond to an e-mail Friday. Attempts to locate a telephone number were unsuccessful.
Tom Richards, Rochester's corporation counsel, has said that he would not discuss details until a ferry deal is final.
City Councilman and ferry board President Benjamin Douglas also declined comment, saying the matter is "within the realm of whatever delicate negotiations are going on."
Should the ship be sold to a location outside the Great Lakes, it would be taken out through the St. Lawrence Seaway, which opens for the season Thursday. Seaway officials said the city has not contacted them about moving the ferry.
Walker said the city has no specific timetable for the ferry.
BDSHARP@DemocratandChronicle.com