Eurotunnel confident of Aon settlement after claim withdrawn

In May 2009, Eurostar and SNCF instigated litigation directly against Eurotunnel's first line insurers before the Tribunal de Grand Instance in Paris, thereby freezing €48m of indemnities.

It followed a 2008 incident, when Eurostar traffic was interrupted for a period of 30 hours. Part of the Tunnel was out of service and, despite reconstruction being completed, below capacity tunnel operations led to significant operating losses for Eurotunnel.

"Eurotunnel appreciates the withdrawal of the litigation, which is a major step towards the final settlement of this affair," Eurotunnel commented in a statement today.

"Eurotunnel considers that there is now no reason why the second line insurance companies, represented by the fronting agent, White Rock, a subsidiary of the insurer Aon, should not move to a final settlement."

The reconstruction works and the shuttle which was destroyed were fully covered, to a value of €90m. On 31 December 2010, Groupe Eurotunnel had received €157m in indemnities.

Groupe Eurotunnel is insured for up to €900m, with coverage for operating losses over two years. The first line is €200m.