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Both the French and UK press are reporting that SeaFrance is facing difficulties, but the ferry company has poured water on the rumours saying 'various groups in Calais are enjoying a free hand at speculation'.

SeaFrance Rodin

La Voix du Nord newspaper quotes unions that represent SeaFrance workers as saying the ferry company is under financial pressure, something that Kent Online has focussed on.

There are clearly some jitters amongst workers on cross-Channel ferry services, especially with the recent collapse of SpeedFerries, but travellers who have tickets for crossings must also be a little worried.

SeaFrance has outlined the procedures it has to take when planning a new budget and in a statement said: "Various groups in Calais are enjoying a free hand at speculation.

"The current recession has resulted in a fall in the value of sterling and a decline in freight and tourism markets. This, coupled with the resumption of a full service at Eurotunnel by March and a new service planned from Dover by LD Lines has contributed to SeaFrance working on a revised budget for 2009. So far, although a lot of work has been undertaken, no conclusion has been reached.

"As soon as we have a budget which is finalised and approved by our shareholders, SNCF, it will be communicated via the established legal procedures in France, to our Comité d’Entreprise, the elected consultative committee. They have priority in the announcement process.

"SeaFrance is not receiving state aid and has never been subsidised by the French state. We are a subsidiary of the SNCF Group, accounting for approximately one per cent of its business. The SNCF Group employs over 200,000 staff and has a turnover of €23.29 billion."