by Jo Sword

Ferry companies at the Port of Dover are joining forces against the Harbour Board, angry that money they believed they were giving to help fund a new ferry terminal many not actually be used for that.

P&O, SeaFrance and Norfolkline say that if the port is privatised who ever takes it over is under no obligation to build the new terminal.

As a result the ferry companies could now take legal action against the Board.

Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser said: "They feel that they have been duped, they feel that monies that they have put in as revenue to the Port are being used for purposes other than which should have been intended.

"The fact the ferry operators are actually threatening at least to take legal action against the board and its particular privitisation plans is very significant indeed."

Helen Deeble, chief executive of P&O Ferries, said: "This is simply unacceptable.

"We feel that we have been misled.

"We were forced to pay higher charges to fund a new ferry development, but it now seems that the £60 million will simply land up as part of the privatisation assets of the port."

Andreas Teschl, route director, Norfolkline, said: "Dover Harbour Board acts as though it is doing all the work to attract the vast volumes of traffic using the port.

"But in reality the work is mainly done by the three major ferry companies.

"We provide more than 70 per cent of its revenues yet we are not even referred to in the privatisation prospectus."

Robin Wilkins, managing director of SeaFrance Ltd, said: "We are not opposed as such to the sale of the port but, unusually, this privatisation will not lead to either increased port competition or to lower costs for us as customers.

"We simply require of an owner good operating management and adequate consultation with stability and guarantees on pricing and tariffs."

In a statement Dover Harbour Board said: "We were extremely surprised to receive a joint letter from P&O Ferries, SeaFrance and Norfolkline claiming that Dover Harbour Board has abused its monopoly powers.

"Moreover, many of the statements made are inaccurate or simply wrong.

"It is entirely premature to be talking publicly about issues which we assumed would be discussed privately for at least another three to five months in order to reach mutual agreement and understanding.

"We do have further meetings in the diary and are prepared to continue talking to our customers, particularly as we had been asked by them to provide additional information in a number of areas as negotiations continue."