hoverspeed was created on the 25 October 1981 with the merger of two Cross-Channel operators � Seaspeed, which operated services to Calais and Boulogne from Dover, and Hoverlloyd, which operated to Calais from Pegwell Bay near Ramsgate.

The Company�s history is closely linked with the development of commercial hovercraft, operated by the company up to the year 2000.

The merged Company initially operated a fleet of six hovercraft on services to Calais and Boulogne from Dover.

In June 1986, hoverspeed was bought by Sea Containers Ltd Ltd.

In 1990, hoverspeed pioneered operations of the world�s first vehicle-carrying catamaran, the seacat, hoverspeed Great Britain. The Company also pioneered operation of the superseacat, the largest monohull high speed car ferry to operate in UK waters, which commenced operation between Newhaven and Dieppe in 1999. Today, hoverspeed operates a fleet of high-speed catamarans and a monohull superseacat on Cross Channel services to France and Belgium.