Firm to splash out on speedy 1 vessels - destination unknown Report by Laura Smith

AN EPIC cross-Channel saga took a further twist this week as a fast-ferry firm agreed to buy five new vessels.

Earlier this year, the Express revealed details of a company, then called Navmed, headed by entrepreneur John Paul Airs.

Aiming to sail to both Calais and Boulogne, the operator intended to be in the water by May 15 but was hit by a series of blows.

First Navmed and financial backers Chikara Holdings split, leading to its project team being laid off. Then, in a further blow, it lost a bidding war for vessel Spirit of Ontario to rival company Euroferries.

After months of wrangles, ferry industry insiders were writing the company off, despite insistence from Mr Airs that he still intended to run services from Dover.

But on Monday it was announced firm Chikara Shipping had signed a letter of intent for the purchase of five brand-new Bateau Grande Vitesse (BGV) vessels for cargo and passenger services intended for several cross-Channel routes.

Mr Airs has also put an option on four more craft.

Boulogne is currently in the process of becoming the hub port for a fast cargo BGV service linking France, Norway, northern Spain and Sheerness.

It is building a new "roll-on, roll-off" berth to take the ships, revolutionary stainless-steel trimarans, which will be ready to enter service by late next year.

On its website, the French boat builder says its fast vessels can travel at up to 55 knots, more than 10 knots quicker than rival SpeedFerries’ Speed One. Their design also gives them extra stability in rough seas.

Mr Airs declined to comment on the agreement or on the possible routes for the new ships.

 AS CHIKARA Shipping announced plans to buy five new ships, rival Euroferries had still not completed its sale of the Spirit of Ontario.

The sale was agreed in May for a price of £16.1 million but the boat has remained in the USA in the port of current owner the City of Rochester.

Recent reports had suggested the city was tiring in the long delay in the sale, believed to be caused by problems with operating finance, and was receiving rival bids from other firms.

At the beginning of June, Euroferries agreed to pay the city £3,200 for every day the 86.6 metre boat remains in port.

This would see it landed with a bill of more than £480,000 as well as the purchase price.

TIMELINE

 MARCH 2006

The Express reveals two new ferry operators are in negotiations to run from both the Eastern Docks and the disused International Hoverport. Company Navmed is in talks for the former while Euroferries has agreed a lease on the latter with DHB. A week later the Express unveils Navmed’s plans, which involve three new ships running to both Boulogne and Calais, creating more than 700 jobs. The firm says it is in the process of securing large catamaran Spirit of Ontario from its American owners along with former Hoverspeed craft Diamant and Rapide. The company also expresses interest in starting services from Folkestone.

 APRIL 2006

Interviews take place to find staff for Navmed, with a service start date of May 15. The firm is revealed to be one of four bidders interested in the Spirit of Ontario but says it is confident it will secure the purchase. John Paul Airs says that if a fourth ship can be found, services will also run to Ostend. Later in the month, the Express reveals that the two companies involved in the organisation - Navmed and financial backers Chikara Holdings -have split, with the latter going it alone. A small project team working out of Folkestone is laid off.

 MAY 2006

Rival firm Euroferries, headed by former Hoverspeed boss Geoffrey Ede, confirms it has agreed the £16.1 million purchase of the Spirit of Ontario. A war of words breaks out after Mr Ede attacks rival bidders, branding them "would be if they could be" companies. Mr Airs hits back, but later admits that a start date of May 15 is not looking realistic.

 JULY 2006

The sale of the Spirit of Ontario is delayed. Mr Airs says he will rejoin the bidding for the vessel if it falls through.

 OCTOBER 2006

Navmed is the subject of a documentary on BBC South East. The programme features disgruntled former members of staff who were not paid for their service. Mr Airs pledges to resolve the issue and insists he will still start services from Dover.

 OCTOBER 30, 2006

Mr Airs signs a statement of intent to buy five high-speed vessels from French firm BGV.

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