Chikara promises to change the face of ferry transport

AN INTERNATIONAL conference in Boulogne was told on Monday that they were witnesses to an "historic event that would change the face of shipping and transport”, writes Terry Sutton.

Making the claim was John Paul Airs, chief executive of Chikara Shipping, who is planning to establish a fast passenger and car-carrying Bateaux a Grande Vitesse (BGV) service between Boulogne and Sheerness in Kent by the summer of 2008.

Mr Airs has signed letters of intent with BGV France to acquire five of its craft but admitted that negotiations were not yet complete with any of five approached European shipyards to build the craft.

He refused to confirm suggestions that the cost of the five craft would be €400m ($526m), simply stating that "no one knows the cost yet".

He also declined to give details of the "well established backers" who were financing the project, but added they believed "one thousand per cent" in the BGV concept.

Mr Airs, based in Dover, said two of the five BGVs would he capable of carrying 240 cars, 10 coaches and 1,500 passengers. The other three would carry freight vehicles.

His company proposed to make “Sheerness London” the principal gateway for Continental passengers heading for the Olympic Games. During the conference Mr Airs handed over a cheque for £1m ($1.9m) to pay for tank tests.

Asked if his plans included Dover and Folkestone. he responded: “Dover has snubbed us and our operation. “The port management has backed the wrong horse. They are living In the past.” The port of Folkestone would not be suitable for BGV, he added.

Mr Airs also has an option of five more BGVs to operate between the main hub of Boulogne-sur-Mer and Sheerness, Drammen in Norway and Spain.

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