 However, actual ferry operations were shut down, with the administrators claiming that the safety of vessels, staff and property could not be guaranteed.The union argued that the shutdown was an illegal lock-out and was ruining SeaFrance's core business, with customers switching to competitors, and suggested it was part of a move by management to sabotage a takeover by a co-operative of SeaFrance workers ("SCOP").On 19 December 2011, the commercial court in Paris postponed its decision on the takeover bid for SeaFrance submitted by the co-operative until 3 January.