Emeraude future hangs in balance

And the French press reported over the weekend that the company behind the one bid left on the table, Le Havre-based Sogestran, has expressed reservations about buying the assets of the troubled firm.The reason, they say, is the possibility that the company would have to agree to pay the £800,000 or so Emeraude still owns to creditors in Jersey before being granted a ramp licence by the Harbours and Airport Committee.But committee president Senator Len Norman has denied that paying Jersey creditors is a precondition to being awarded a permit.Pressure group Save Emeraude, meanwhile, is calling on the States to put pressure on Senator Norman to issue a temporary licence to Sogestran should the French tribunal determining the ferry firm’s fate – which is due to sit on Wednesday – accept its offer over liquidating the company.