HD cancels all sailings

Thursday 4th September 2008, 3:00PM BST.

HD Ferries are to stop all sailings from this weekend with the loss of up to eight jobs.

The troubled ferry company is blaming the rising cost of oil and a slowdown in business for its decision to cease operating.

But the news has angered the States, which believes that HD should not be able to cherrypick when it operates after being granted operating licences and entering into service level agreements.

This Sunday evening’s sailing from St Malo to Jersey will be its last for the time being, although the company intends to try to return in the spring.

An announcement on the company’s website from chief executive James Howe-Davies said: ‘In normal circumstances we would expect demand in the summer to allow us to sustain services through the autumn and winter. However, this year has been far from normal — the general economic slowdown has limited demand and, at the same time, high fuel costs have substantially increased our operating costs.’

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1
Irene Pereira

September 4, 2008 at 8:07 pm

I would like to find out how am I going to get back to Jersey on the 14/09/08 I have a ticket for HD boat at 9pm at the moment I haven´t received any information about it.
At the moment I´m on holiday´s in Portugal

Regards
Irene

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2
Traveller

September 5, 2008 at 9:05 am

It,s pathetic, how can the States allow this cowboy operation to return next year, imagine if all carriers to the Island,s decided to cancel/suspend sailings/flights when it suited them to do so.

For all the negative press Flybe, Condor and all the others get,they are here, year round.

If competion is required then the service providers must be forced to operate to the same level, and if they fail permission to run their services should be revoked.

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3
Allan Herbert

September 6, 2008 at 9:34 am

Had HD got their business plan wrong!
How can they in a press release in July say things are looking good with an upturn 20% in passenger and freight movement and 6 weeks later complain of an economic downturn?
It would make sense if the fares were 33% higher, they would still offer a more competitive price than Condor.
Why not introduce a fuel surcharge like other transport operators?
How cynical to blame the states of Jersey for there own business failings.
If they are in breech of contract then the company should be taken to court and fined,
What about the 4000 inconvenienced customers who have had to pay more money or change there travel plans, those who are left stranded in France or Jersey perhaps we could arrange a group action for compensation (any one interested) A sharp lesson is required to be dealt to stop any other crooked company trying to make a quick buck at of our transport routes.

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