Cross-channel ferry firm MyFerryLink is to be sold off by owner Eurotunnel to rival DFDS Seaways.
The sale follows lengthy legal action over the competitive impact of the former SeaFrance operations.
The Court of Appeal last month has refused the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) permission to appeal in the case of MyFerryLink in a move hailed as a victory by the company.
However, the operator of the Channel Tunnel today revealed that it holds a “binding offer” from DFDS for the ferries Rodin and Berlioz.
Eurotunnel said it “regrets” that the existing French workers’ collective SCOP “has not had the support it needed to be able to present a takeover proposal” for MyFerryLink.
Eurotunnel added: “The CMA should not oppose the completion of this sale which will lead to two maritime operators of equal importance.
“The Eurotunnel Group believes that the constructive manner in which DFDS conducted itself during the recruitment of ex-SeaFrance personnel in 2012 gives hope for the best solution possible with regard to preserving employment, without interruption to services.
“The Eurotunnel Group, after having supported this activity for three years, hopes that all those involved will support MyFerryLink in a responsible manner through this transition which has been imposed upon it.”
DFDS said: “DFDS has submitted a binding offer to Eurotunnel for the charter or purchase of the ferries Rodin and Berlioz with an effective date of 2 July 2015 based on terms and conditions agreed with Eurotunnel.”
MyFerryLink employs 370 staff on board while 106 are land based.