CURT STAVIS says he is pleased with SpeedFerries’ results on the Dover-Boulogne route, despite taking its high-speed craft Speed One temporarily out of service.

The SpeedFerries chief executive claims the company has performed well on the route in what has been “a challenging market” this year.

Mr Stavis described the work being done on Speed One as a “minor refit” needed because of the success of the route. And he denied a report the craft had to be evacuated in Boulogne on September 3.

He said: "Exceeding the budgeted number of cars carried during the three and a half months of operation and with strong support from cross-Channel customers, we are pleased with the results so far. We aim at ending this year close to break-even, which is a good result for a start-up year.

"To achieve these positive results, Speed One has been used to the limit during the summer. In recognition of this, and to prepare for being the only year-round fast ferry service on the Dover Strait, the craft has been taken out of service this week for a minor refit, technical overhauls and interior updates."

Once Speed One returns to service, the company will amend its schedule from 10 crossings (five each way) to six crossings (three each way) from September 14. The summer timetable will be re-introduced in mid-March.

From that date it will also be possible to book motorcycles, vans, trailers and caravans for the first time.

There are still no plans to allow foot passengers to travel on the service, although the company pointed out that there is parking space at the port of Boulogne where people can leave their vehicles and walk around the town. The question of taking foot passengers would continue to be reviewed.

SpeedFerries has confirmed it is planning to bring a second craft, Speed Two, into operation next year. Mr Stavis said talks were taking place over the possible charter of the second ferry, which would allow the service to carry about one million cars a year.

The new craft is expected to enter service in May, and the two ferries will then offer a departure from both ports every 90 minutes.

There is mystery surrounding a report that claimed passengers had to be evacuated from Speed One in Boulogne following a problem with an engine.