Swansea Cork ferries are left in
the docks
 By Niamh Hennessy
IT was the end of an era for travel between Britain and Ireland after
Swansea Cork Ferries suspended its service for the whole of 2007.
As a result 30 workers have lost their jobs at the ferry company, which
has carried over 3.5million passengers across the Irish Sea since 1987.
Local economies will suffer from this decision as the service is said
to be worth £23.5million annually to business in Cork and Swansea.
The company said the move was the result of a failure to procure a suitable
vessel to replace its ship MV Superferry which was sold last October primarily
because of advanced age.
It is understood however that the company are extremely keen to ensure
that the business does not collapse completely and hopes remain high that
the services can resume in 12 months time.
A spokesperson for Swansea Cork Ferries said: “The service cannot
proceed for the 2007 season and as a very regrettable consequence 30 staff
members will be made redundant.
“All company creditors have been discharged and any outstanding
accounts will be paid in full.”
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said the move was “highly regrettable”
while in Ireland there have been calls for government intervention.
Mr Holley said: “From the information we have the service appears
to have been a thriving one and that the problem stems from the route
owner’s inability to purchase a bigger vessel.”
The Welsh Assembly said it was also keen to identify what support it could
provide to resume the service next year.
In Ireland, tourist and shipping interests have called on the government
to prevent the loss of the service.
Fine Gael Deputy Jim O’Keeffe said the news was unexpected and would
deal a crushing blow to tourism generally but especially to the West Cork
region.
Factfile
1987 — The year Swansea Cork Ferries was established.
3.5million — The number of passengers carried across the Irish Sea
over their 20 years of operation.
£23.5million — What the service is worth to the economies
in Swansea and Cork.
12 — The number of months the service is now suspended for.
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