SeaFrance, now wound up, was a French public limited company that was indirectly 100% owned by the French public entity the SNCF. It operated maritime passenger and freight transport services between the ports of Calais and Dover. In 2009, SeaFrance owned six vessels and employed 1 550 staff. From 2008, SeaFrance’s financial situation systematically deteriorated owing to unfavourable conditions, internal difficulties and industrial action.