Cross channel ferry passengers planning to travel with Budget ferry operator SpeedFerries have been warned to expect cancellations this week as the popular ferry operator has had one of its Dover to Boulogne vessels seized by French port officials over non payment of port taxes.

The vessel was seized just after 5pm on Thursday the 6th of November as it was turning around back to the Western dock.

A statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce in Boulogne stated that "Due to an important payment delay by SpeedFerries in relation to port dues, the shipbroker representing the account of the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce has obtained the agreement of the Commerce Tribunal, an order enabling the ship to be seized in lieu of outstanding payments being made."

The seizure of the vessel came as a surprise to Curt Stavis the chief executive of SpeedFerries who said "The arrest was totally unexpected as the authorities had given written confirmation that no legal steps would be taken prior to a meeting planned for Friday at 10am.

"At this meeting, SpeedFerries, in consultation with its bankers and financial advisors, were to present a proposal for a resolution of the issues relating to outstanding dues and taxes."

Mr Stavis later went on to say that "As the actions of the Boulogne port authorities are now proven to be unpredictable and inconsistent with their given guarantees, SpeedFerries finds itself in a position where it is unable to inform its customers, employees or business partners, of a firm date for the resumption of services. The company deeply regrets this situation and asks everyone affected to accept our sincere apologies."

In a statement on their website SpeedFerries also says that substantial counterclaims towards the Port have been entirely ignored by the French authorities, as well as serious competition and discriminatory issues in relation to the Port's dealings with a French ferry operator preparing to start-up a Dover-Boulogne service.

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