Shipowner Jørgen Holm Christensen from Strib is a fighter. He doesn't give up. That's why he already contacted Danish People's Party's Morten Messerschmidt about the case, where he believes he has been cheated by Fehmarn Bælt, in March. This prompted the party chairman to write the following response:
- It is very worrying to read about the process that has apparently been in this case. It is of course crucial when we carry out large, public construction projects that agreements are respected and that subcontractors are treated respectfully. I hope that the case will find a solution. But if that turns out not to be the case, it is clear that the Minister of Transport must contact Femern A/S to get clarification. If that doesn't happen, we will take up the matter with the Minister.
The case is that the shipowner had a ten-year contract with Femern Bælt A/S. This agreement was terminated with partial compensation of six million. DKK at a meeting in 2012 in Rødbyhavn, even though the contract was worth ten times that. At the same time, an oral agreement was made that when work on the Fehmarnbelt was to begin in earnest, Jørgen Holm Christensen would be compensated with work for Femern Bælt A/S. This is the agreement that has not been kept.
At the meeting where the agreement was made, shipowner Jørgen Holm Christensen, his employee first officer Claus Sjømann and the shipowner's auditor Herluf Kielsgaard-Spicker were present. While Femern Bælt A/S was represented by CFO Allan H. Kristensen, financial manager Gregers Jensen and director of marine works Claus Iversen. None of the three work for Femern Bælt A/S anymore.
Both the auditor and the former employee confirm to DOI.dk the oral agreement made about the promised work. Femern Bælt, on the other hand, denies that an agreement was made. In 2020, Fehmarnbælt's lawyer concluded in a letter to the shipowner's lawyer:
"Based on the above, I dispute that Femern A/S should have given a legally binding promise to Jørgen Holm Christensen in 2011-2012."
At the end of March the shipowner also presented an undated recording of a telephone conversation with the now former director of marine work Claus Iversen, indicating an agreement had been reached.
However, despite repeatedly contacting Fehmarnbælt's management to reach an agreement on work or compensation, Jørgen Holm Christensen's inquiries have remained unanswered.
Messerschmidt asks questions to the Minister of Transport
The shipowner has presented the entire process via email to Morten Messerschmidt, who despite a busy calendar found time to receive Jørgen Holm Christensen in his office at Christiansborg. DOI.dk was allowed to attend the meeting. And the party chairman first asks if there has been any development in the case.
- Nothing is happening, although I figured that a verbal agreement is as good as a written one, says Jørgen Holm Christensen.
- Yes, that's what we learn in law school, although it may be more difficult to prove, Morten Messerschmidt answers and continues:
- I have already raised the matter with the minister a few times, although I have not received any answer yet.
However, the politician also wants to focus on another side of the matter.
- You also have to ask how this state-owned company works, and are more foxholes being made. If they do this to you, then that's something that needs to be looked into. That's why I'm going to ask the minister questions again, says Morten Messerschmidt.
Is it legal?
But Morten Messerschmidt also thinks in other ways.
- From the political side, I'm also looking at: Is it basically illegal to make such an agreement. If it is not illegal, then the agreement must of course be respected, says Morten Messerschmidt, before saying goodbye to Jørgen Holm Christensen.
On the way out through the long hallways and corridors of Christiansborg, there is little doubt that the shipowner's fight to have the verbal agreement fulfilled continues unabated.
DOI.dk has been in telephone contact with Femern Bælt A/S' CEO Henrik Vincentsen, who has no comment on the matter.
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