SeaFrance has confirmed it will return to operation following a court decision blocking a proposed takeover.

The cross Channel ferry operated had ceased departures earlier this week after entering receivership last year.

A joint bid to purchase SeaFrance for €5 million by Danish ferry operator DFDS and French ship-owner Louis Dreyfus Armateurs was rejected by a Paris-based Tribunal de Commerce.

The court ruled the deal undervalued the organisation.

Rival P&O Ferries had earlier made its opposition to the deal plain.

A brief statement from the company read: “The management of the company has been placed under the control of the administrators.

“They have decided that commercial activities of the company will resume as soon as all the issues concerning safety and security are resolved.

“We are conscious of the inconvenience this situation is causing and we apologise for this.

“We will keep you informed of any changes in the present situation.”

SeaFrance is owned by French state railway company SNCF.

Last month European competition authorities blocked a proposed €223 million restructuring plan at the operator.

The deal would have seen a capital injection from SNCF Participations.

Operations at SeaFrance have been given leave to continue until January 28th while a new buyer is sought for the company.