by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The newest cross-Channel ferry service will not be hit by French-style industrial action, its boss has pledged.

My Ferry Link, which launched yesterday, operates three former SeaFrance ships crewed mainly by former SeaFrance employees. It is run by a French workers’ co-operative set up when SeaFrance was going through a lengthy legal process that led to liquidation in January.

The vessels - Berlioz, Rodin and Nord-Pas de Calais - were bought by Eurotunnel and leased to the co-operative.

Robin Wilkins headed the SeaFrance operation in Whitfield, Dover, for many years until its demise. Now he is back in his old office as UK managing director of My Ferry Link.

He said the new company was not SeaFrance Mark 2. “You’re going to see a completely different operating philosophy. It’s very much a brand new company with new aspirations.”

He ruled out the sort of industrial action that often disrupted SeaFrance services. “The staff who are operating the ships will have a vested interest in ensuring good service. They have no possible benefit in being disruptive because it’s their own company.”

He admitted that it was not the best time to launch the service but it wouldn’t have made sense to delay the launch to a more favourable period.

Even if My Ferry Link missed the main tourist market this year, freight would give the company good business.

My Ferry Link is aiming for a modest 8% - 9% market share, but also faces possible competition concerns from the Office of Fair Trading and its French counterpart over the financial deal between the co-op and Eurotunnel. A report is due next month. (Sept)

Despite formidable obstacles on the crowded short-sea route, Mr Wilkins says the new service will succeed.

“I’m delighted and very excited by the opportunity to create something new and different. I’m looking forward to a reliable high-quality service we can take to the market with complete confidence.”