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Spirit sale tipped to be a done deal today
Shipping industry sources have named European company Corsica Ferries as the successful bidder for the Spirit of Tasmania III, with the purchase likely to be sealed today.
The name of the bidder and financial details of the offer have remained a mystery since last Tuesday when TT- Line announced that a memorandum of understanding had been signed for the sale.
Sources close to the industry believe European company Corsica Ferries put in the winning bid but the sale price remains unknown.
"You can't hide that kind of stuff for too long, it is just too small an industry," one source said.
TT-Line chairman Denis Rogers has said the offer would cover the original $105 million purchase price.
Corsica Ferries and its subsidiary Sardinia Ferries transport more than one million passengers annually aboard eight ferries, which operate in the western Mediterranean Sea.
The Spirit III will be given a new name and will most likely be employed on a run between Corsica and France.
A spokesman for TT-Line would not confirm or deny the industry speculation yesterday because of a confidentiality clause included in the deal.
"The TT-Line has signed an MoU for the sale and is not making any other comment at this time," the spokesman said.
But the deal has sparked controversy, with suggestions that TT-Line might have ignored a higher offer.
Sydney ship broker Harry Mansson, representing rival Norwegian bidder NorFerries, will travel to Devonport today in an 11th hour attempt to halt contract negotiations with Corsica Ferries.
Mr Mansson believes his client's bid of $111.6 million is up to $6.5 million higher than that of Corsica Ferries but that it had not been given due consideration by the TT-Line board.
He said he would come with a 10 per cent deposit in his pocket and an offer to pay at least $2 million more than the highest bidder.
"TT-Line have not responded to my requests for a meeting but I am going to Tasmania anyway because I cannot believe that the Tasmanian Government would not want to get the best deal for the taxpayer," Mr Mansson said.
"I don't see why there should be any animosity. I just want to sit down and negotiate because my clients want the ship and they are prepared to offer the highest bid."
Mr Mansson said the company's original bid of $108.7 million was rejected but the subsequent offer was put in writing to Premier Paul Lennon the same day the MoU was announced.
Mr Mansson said Mr Lennon had responded, promising the offer would be given serious consideration.
NorFerries is a Norwegian shipping investment company known for setting up routes for cargo ships and passenger ferries.
Mr Mansson said an MoU was not a legally binding document and that the company would pursue all means necessary, including legal action, if its offer was ignored.
The name of the bidder and financial details of the offer have remained a mystery since last Tuesday when TT- Line announced that a memorandum of understanding had been signed for the sale.
Sources close to the industry believe European company Corsica Ferries put in the winning bid but the sale price remains unknown.
"You can't hide that kind of stuff for too long, it is just too small an industry," one source said.
TT-Line chairman Denis Rogers has said the offer would cover the original $105 million purchase price.
Corsica Ferries and its subsidiary Sardinia Ferries transport more than one million passengers annually aboard eight ferries, which operate in the western Mediterranean Sea.
The Spirit III will be given a new name and will most likely be employed on a run between Corsica and France.
A spokesman for TT-Line would not confirm or deny the industry speculation yesterday because of a confidentiality clause included in the deal.
"The TT-Line has signed an MoU for the sale and is not making any other comment at this time," the spokesman said.
But the deal has sparked controversy, with suggestions that TT-Line might have ignored a higher offer.
Sydney ship broker Harry Mansson, representing rival Norwegian bidder NorFerries, will travel to Devonport today in an 11th hour attempt to halt contract negotiations with Corsica Ferries.
Mr Mansson believes his client's bid of $111.6 million is up to $6.5 million higher than that of Corsica Ferries but that it had not been given due consideration by the TT-Line board.
He said he would come with a 10 per cent deposit in his pocket and an offer to pay at least $2 million more than the highest bidder.
"TT-Line have not responded to my requests for a meeting but I am going to Tasmania anyway because I cannot believe that the Tasmanian Government would not want to get the best deal for the taxpayer," Mr Mansson said.
"I don't see why there should be any animosity. I just want to sit down and negotiate because my clients want the ship and they are prepared to offer the highest bid."
Mr Mansson said the company's original bid of $108.7 million was rejected but the subsequent offer was put in writing to Premier Paul Lennon the same day the MoU was announced.
Mr Mansson said Mr Lennon had responded, promising the offer would be given serious consideration.
NorFerries is a Norwegian shipping investment company known for setting up routes for cargo ships and passenger ferries.
Mr Mansson said an MoU was not a legally binding document and that the company would pursue all means necessary, including legal action, if its offer was ignored.
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