A key figure in the new project is Seaborne Freight chief executive Jean-Michel Copyans, 59, a ferry industry veteran who began his career with the marine operations of French state-owned railway company SNCF.
Copyans was freight director at MyFerryLink, which was set up following the liquidation of SeaFrance. But that company was driven out of business by the UK Competition Commission due to its links with Eurotunnel that also operates cross-channel services.
Glenn Dudley is chief operating officer and has a background in freight marketing for Sealink and MyFerryLink, while Karin Schodel Luzio, who also worked for Sealink, will be freight director.
Freight marketing and business development specialist Marc Schumacher also has a background at SeaFrance and MyFerryLink.
Offshore experience
Marine expertise is coming from UK-based Albany Shipping, an offshore vessel operating company run by former Royal Navy submariner Ben Sharp.
Sharp, like a number of others involved in the project, has an insurance background. He worked for protection and indemnity scheme manager Michael Else & Co, before launching a Hong Kong-based P&I scheme for Australian insurance group QBE.
Non-executive director Keith Jones has a background in underwriting and broking both insurance and reinsurance.
Another non-executive director is Brian Raincock, who has an insurance background, particularly in legal expenses and litigation funding.
Sharp, Jones and Raincock are all shareholders in Albany Shipping.
Nick Lumb, an accountant who has worked for BP Exploration, Courtaulds and various other non-marine businesses, will be finance director.
