European Ferries
| Company type | Public limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry services, harbour management, property management |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Fate | Acquired by P&O and rebranded as P&O European Ferries |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, United States |
| Products | Passenger and freight ferry services, harbour facilities management, property assets |
European Ferries Group plc was engaged in operating passenger and freight ferry services, managing harbour facilities, and overseeing property assets across the United Kingdom and the United States. The company was acquired by P&O in 1987 and subsequently rebranded as P&O European Ferries.
History
Founded in 1935 under the name Monument Securities Limited, the company transitioned to a public limited company by 1949. In 1957, Monument Securities secured a controlling interest in Townsend Car Ferries, achieving full ownership by 1959 and adopting the name George Nott Industries Limited.
Townsend Thoresen
In 1968, George Nott Industries expanded by acquiring Otto Thoresen Shipping Company along with its subsidiary Thoresen Car Ferries, leading to a corporate rebranding as European Ferries Limited. The acquisition of Atlantic Steam Navigation Company in 1971 further broadened its ferry operations, all marketed under the Townsend Thoresen brand.
The company enhanced its port portfolio by purchasing Larne Harbour Limited in 1973 and obtaining a 50% share in Harwich naval dockyard, followed by acquiring Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company in 1976.
Starting in 1979, European Ferries diversified into property development through joint ventures in Denver, later extending these activities to Atlanta and Houston, amassing approximately of land.
In May 1984, company assets were consolidated under European Ferries Group plc. By January 1985, it had acquired ferry routes from P&O operating between Dover–Boulogne and Southampton–Le Havre (previously Normandy Ferries).
On 6 March 1987, the roll-on/roll-off ferry Herald of Free Enterprise, operated by Townsend Thoresen, capsized near Zeebrugge due to bow doors being left open, resulting in the loss of 193 lives. This tragedy hastened the rebranding from Townsend Thoresen to P&O European Ferries to reduce negative public perception.
Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company
In 1976, European Ferries expanded its operations at the Port of Felixstowe through the acquisition of Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company. Townsend Thoresen had introduced a twice-daily ferry service between Felixstowe and Zeebrugge in 1974. By 1978, a dedicated terminal for both passenger and freight traffic was constructed to support Townsend Thoresen’s services.
Under European Ferries’ stewardship, Felixstowe significantly increased its container handling capacity to roughly 500,000 units annually; handling 252,802 containers in 1980 made it the largest container port in the UK. In 1984, it became the first UK seaport to adopt computerised Customs clearance procedures.
Following European Ferries’ acquisition by P&O in 1987, port management continued under P&O until Hutchison Whampoa acquired the Port of Felixstowe in 1991.
Larne Harbour Limited
European Ferries assumed control of Northern Ireland’s Port of Larne in 1973 through its purchase of Larne Harbour Limited. Under this ownership, Larne developed into Northern Ireland’s premier ro/ro port. Enhancements included the introduction of new double-deck ro/ro facilities in 1978 and the addition of a passenger terminal in 1985.
Property management
The group operated property management and development subsidiaries including EF International Inc (US), Inmogold SA (Spain), and Townsend Thoresen Developments and Properties Limited (UK).
In May 1985, most UK property assets were transferred to Stockley Plc in exchange for a 44% equity stake; this holding later decreased to 34.7% following Stockley’s acquisition of shares from Stock Conversion Plc. Despite this, the group maintained ownership of around 15–20 properties within the UK along with involvement in a substantial leisure development covering approximately 1100 acres in Southern Spain, as well as property interests in Hamburg and Frankfurt.
In the media
- The ferry featured in the original 1969 movie The Italian Job was the Free Enterprise I.
- During Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee Fleet Review in 1977, the Viking Valiant took part.
- In 1981, Townsend Thoresen served as the sponsor for the British Formula Ford 1600cc Championship, which was won by Ayrton Senna, who later became a Formula One World Champion.
Falklands War
In 1982, the Ministry of Defence requisitioned three European Ferries vessels to assist with the Falklands conflict: Europic Ferry, Nordic Ferry, and Baltic Ferry.
- On 1 June 1982, Baltic Ferry delivered 105 troops, three Army helicopters, and 1,874 tons of supplies and ammunition to Ajax Bay.
- Europic Ferry carried vehicles, ammunition, fuel, and four Scout helicopters from 656 Squadron AAC to San Carlos on 21 May 1982, departing the Falklands on 23 June.
- Nordic Ferry transported personnel, equipment, and ammunition on 29 May 1982 and returned to the United Kingdom on 29 July for conversion back to civilian use by 25 August.
Following the conflict, insights gained were applied by the Ministry of Defence during Exercise Purple Warrior held in Scotland in November 1987. Multiple vessels were chartered, including European Ferries' Viking Viscount, which was adapted with an additional ramp enabling vehicle offloading onto Mexeflotes. Military vehicles were loaded at Plymouth ahead of the exercise.
External links
- Defunct shipping companies of the United Kingdom
- Ferry companies of England
- Ferry companies of France
- Ferry companies of Belgium
- Ferry companies of the Netherlands
- Ferry companies of Scotland
- Ferry companies of Northern Ireland
- P&O
- 1935 establishments in England
- British companies established in 1935
- 1987 disestablishments in England
- British companies disestablished in 1987