Ban on Eurotunnel ferries from Dover

A watchdog bans the Eurotunnel ferry service from Dover

By Nicole Hamer |

15:09 06 June 2013

The watchdog Competition Commission, from the UK, has stated that Eurotunnel might not continue to provide ferries from Dover.

This relates to Eurotunnel’s ferry service which links Dover and Calais.

Eurotunnel has said that it plans to appeal against this.

The Competition Commission has stated that a reason for the ruling is because a big share of the market could lead to costs increasing for users.

This comes after the firm purchased three boats which they have leased out to MyFerryLink.

A statement from the watchdog reads: “By adding ferries to its existing channel tunnel business, Eurotunnel would increase its market share to over half and prices would rise.”

It is understood that Eurotunnel will have half a year to look into the matter before the ban takes place.

Eurotunnel said that the ruling isn’t founded on “any concrete facts” but on a “random association of virtual hypothesis”.

The firm’s Chairman and Chief Executive Jacques Gounon said: “This decision by the Competition Commission will reduce the choice of services across the Straits of Dover to the detriment of the consumer.”

Adding: “It will inevitably lead to an increase in the price of a crossing.”

It is understood that Eurotunnel has the channel rail tunnel as well as a car rail option for people to use.
The Channel Tunnel is an undersea link that runs from the South of England to the North of France. It was opened in the mid-90s.