Hoverspeed Ferry Talks

"Hoverspeed has been revealed as one of the three firms currently in talks with Dover Harbour Board about running fast ferry services out of the disused International Hoverport.

The Express can reveal managing director Geoffrey Ede is spearheading attempts to revive the company away from parent company Sea Containers.

The efforts began as soon as the company stopped running on November 7, when its Bermuda-based owners decided to pull the plug in a bid to stem losses.

Yet rumours about Mr Ede's role in a possible management buyout had been circulating even before the decision to close the route.

A spokesman for the company, which has relocated to offices in Snargate Street, confirmed it was in talks with the harbour board but stressed nothing had been finalised.

She also confirmed any new venture would be entirely separate fro Sea Containers, which had gradually scaled back its investment on Hoverspeed over the last five years. A Swiss investment company has also approached the port authority about running fast ferry services.

Yet the firm does not have a background in marine operations and it is not known how this could affect negotiations, with industry insiders adopting a "wait and see" position.

SpeedFerries chief executive Curt Stavis has also been in talks with DHB but the company appear to have ruled out using the Hoverport in the near future.

Company spokesman Marianne Illum said " Our plan is, in addition to introducing a second fast ferry on the Dover-Boulogne route, to break into the cross-Channel freight market with conventional ferries. We are currently in dialogue with DHB regarding facilities for both conventional and fast ferries. Currently the Western Docks only accommodate fast ferries and therefore they do not fulfil our requirements"

Rumours that Stena Line may be considering a return to Dover are thought unlikely. A senior company source told the Express he would "be extremely surprised" if its HSS craft were deployed on the Channel.

Yet any use of the International Hoverport is likely to be short-term as the port's 30-year master plan document, due to be unveiled later this year, favours putting conventional ferry berths at the western end of the port.

A Dover Harbour Board spokesman said "I can confirm, we are in talks with a number of parties. Unfortunately we are not in a position to give further details"

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