MyFerryLink

On 6 June 2013, the UK Competition Commission ruled that Eurotunnel, which leased the three MyFerryLink vessels to the SCOP, could no longer operate ferry services from Dover, due to the proportion of the cross-Channel market that they held as a result.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22794222|title=Eurotunnel blocked from Dover ferry service|work=BBC News|date=6 June 2013}} The ruling was appealed by Eurotunnel,{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurotunnelgroup.com/uploadedFiles/assets-uk/Media/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/130606-GETvsCC-UK.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-06-20 |archive-date=2013-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616143253/http://www.eurotunnelgroup.com/uploadedFiles/assets-uk/Media/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/130606-GETvsCC-UK.pdf |url-status=dead }} allowing sailings operated by the company to continue as normal.{{cite web|url=http://www.myferrylink.com/uk/news-and-travel-tips/myferrylink-competition-commission-statement?packedargs=site%3DSF_Pax_Uk|title=Business as usual for MyFerryLink Dover-Calais ferries after Competition Commission ruling|author=MyFerryLink|work=myferrylink.com}}

On 20 May 2014, the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) that had succeeded the Competition Commission, ruled that the SCOP could no longer operate ferry services from Dover.{{Cite web |url=http://www.journaldunet.com/economie/actualite/depeche/afp/62/1290292/ex-seafrance_la_scop_myferrylink_interdite_du_port_de_douvres.shtml |title=20/05/2014 Dépêche AFP MyFerryLink interdite du port de Douvres |access-date=2015-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701174856/http://www.journaldunet.com/economie/actualite/depeche/afp/62/1290292/ex-seafrance_la_scop_myferrylink_interdite_du_port_de_douvres.shtml |archive-date=2015-07-01 |url-status=dead }} Scop SeaFrance pointed out a potential conflict of interest: an ex accountant of DFDS was now a member of UK Competition Commission, and appealed.[http://www.lefigaro.fr/societes/2014/06/28/20005-20140628ARTFIG00004-myferrylink-interdit-de-sejour-en-angleterre.php Le Figaro 28/06/2014 MyFerryLink interdit de séjour en Angleterre]

On 15 May 2015 the Court of Appeal overturned the CMA ruling, on the grounds of "fair competition", but the CMA then lodged an appeal to the UK Supreme Court.{{cite web|title= MyFerryLink : la CMA en Cour suprême à toutes fins utiles|url = http://www.lemarin.fr/secteurs-activites/shipping/22192-myferrylink-la-cma-en-cour-supreme-toutes-fins-utiles|work= www.lemarin.fr|access-date= 2015-06-16}}

On 8 June 2015, Eurotunnel tired of the continuous fight,[http://www.leparisien.fr/economie/myferrylink-eurotunnel-cede-deux-bateaux-au-danois-dfds-08-06-2015-4843661.php MyFerryLink : Eurotunnel cède deux bateaux au Danois DFDS] their lease of the ships to Scop SeaFrance was due to end on 1 July 2015, and they announced they would not extend it, and instead had entered a lease-buy deal for DFDS to acquire the ships Rodin and Berlioz. Eurotunnel will keep operating Nord Pas-de-Calais for dangerous goods.

MyFerryLink workers went on strike on 1 July 2015 in protest against expected job losses. MyFerryLink services ceased at midnight on 1/2 July. On 15 July MyFerryLink workers occupied both MS Rodin and MS Berlioz in the Port of Calais {{Cite web|url=http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/conflit-my-ferry-link-calais-les-bateaux-de-dfds-ia33b48581n2946267|title = Conflit My Ferry Link Calais : Les bateaux de DFDS autorisés à rentrer au port au compte-gouttes| date=26 June 2023 }} and began sabotaging the ships in protest of their impending lease-buy to DFDS.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dover-express.co.uk/Protesting-French-ferry-workers-blockading-Port/story-26921773-detail/story.html |title=Protesting French ferry workers blockading Port of Calais reason for third day of Operation Stack | Dover Express |access-date=2015-07-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719132401/http://www.dover-express.co.uk/Protesting-French-ferry-workers-blockading-Port/story-26921773-detail/story.html |archive-date=2015-07-19 |url-status=dead }} DFDS ships were also refused entry by dockers to the Port of Calais and were only able to operate their Dover/Dunkerque route,{{cite tweet|user=DFDSUKUpdates|author=DFDS UK Updates|number=622079163181178880|date=17 July 2015|title=Dover-Calais-Dover: services are currently suspended, customers with a confirmed reservation are advise to travel via our Dunkirk route..}} causing major congestion on both sides of the channel, with Operation Stack still in place on the UK side.{{cite tweet|user=HighwaysSEAST|author=Highways England|number=622367454862417920|date=18 July 2015|title=#M20 #OpStack now closed btwn J8-J11 e/b. @kentpoliceroads. @Port_of_Dover @LeShuttle. Info: :}} DFDS staff reported that the MyFerryLink workers had reportedly destroyed safety and alarm systems on the ships and activated flotation and life-saving equipment, so as to make the ships unusable.

Passengers travelling on the Berlioz and the Rodin had access to a range of onboard facilities during the 90-minute crossing between Dover and Calais. These included:

• Le Relais:{{cite web|url=http://www.myferrylink.com/uk/ferry-to-france/restaurants-bars/relais?packedargs=site%3DSF_Pax_Uk|title=Le Relais Restaurant - Meal Deals On Board - MyFerryLink|author=MyFerryLink|work=myferrylink.com}} A self-service restaurant serving a range of meals, including dishes for children, prepared by onboard chefs.
• Le Pub:{{cite web|url=http://www.myferrylink.com/uk/ferry-to-france/restaurants-bars/pub?packedargs=site%3DSF_Pax_Uk|title=Le Pub - Restaurants and Pubs On Board - MyFerryLink|author=MyFerryLink|work=myferrylink.com}} A bar where drinks and snacks could be purchased during the crossing.
• La Boutique:{{cite web|url=http://www.myferrylink.com/uk/ferry-to-france/shopping-onboard?packedargs=site%3DSF_Pax_Uk|title=La Boutique On Board Ferry Shopping - MyFerryLink|author=MyFerryLink|work=myferrylink.com}} An onboard shop selling alcohol, tobacco, perfumes and other gifts.
• Playzone:{{cite web|url=http://www.myferrylink.com/uk/ferry-to-france/children-area-my-ferry-link?packedargs=site%3DSF_Pax_Uk|title=On Board Kids Entertainment - Children's Area - MyFerryLink|author=MyFerryLink|work=myferrylink.com}} A play area with toys and games for children.

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.myferrylink.com/}}

Category:Ferry companies of France

Category:Transport companies established in 2012

Category:Transport companies disestablished in 2015

Category:2012 establishments in France

Category:2015 disestablishments in France