Cork Transport
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@samuel j wrote:
Swansea-Cork ferry service closes – from RTE.ie
January 08, 2007 18:39
Thirty staff are being made redundant in the Swansea-Cork Ferry company, after the company was unable to find a replacement for the ferry it sold last October.Tourist and shipping interests have called for Government intervention to prevent the closure of the Swansea Cork Ferry Service which was estimated to be worth €35m to the tourist economy in the South.
The ferry company failed to obtain a more modern vessel to operate the service this year, after it sold the 35-year-old ship it had been operating last October.
A €30m deal for a ship fell through before Christmas and the company says it has been unable to buy or charter a ferry so there will be no service from Cork to Swansea this year.
Its annual operations were from March to January.
The International Transport Federation called on the Ministers for Marine and Transport to intervene to prevent the loss of the service, which has carried three million passengers over recent years.
Interesting….. Not news as this was a strong rumour around the harbour last Oct , that a replacement was not being sought and that it was to close….
From the Irish Examiner 1st August 2006:
Ferry offers refunds amid ship sale
Swansea Cork Ferries confirmed it will end its sailing season in October following its decision to sell its 34-year-old mv Superferry.
Managing director Thomas Hunter McGowan said negotiations were well advanced to buy a replacement vessel.
It will be ready to ply the route by March 16, 2007.
Up to 18,000 passengers were expected to travel the route during the winter period, which includes the Cork Jazz Festival and the busy Christmas rush.
By yesterday, up to 1,000 places had been booked. But because the buyers need the vessel in October, the company said its sailing season will end on October 7.
“All passengers booked for sailings in the winter period are being informed of this change,†Mr McGowan said.
The company has already contacted almost 800 passengers. They are being offered full refunds, earlier travel dates, or places on ferry routes out of Rosslare.
The company’s shore staff will not be affected by the sale. The 85 ferry staff, who had contracts until October pending possible extension, are likely to be employed on the new vessel next year.
The mv Superferry was built in Japan in 1972. It was rebuilt in Greece in 1991 and sold to Minoan Lines, who renamed the vessel Erotokritos. It was sold to Strintzis Lines in May 1991 who renamed it Superferry.
They, in turn, chartered it to Swansea Cork Ferries from 1993 to 2000, who then bought it in 2002, making it the first vessel to be owned by the company.
“She has served the route well but the market has changed and we require a different configuration for the future. Unfortunately age catches up on us all,†Mr McGowan said.
The identity of its buyer, and sale price are protected by a confidentiality clause.
However, it is understood the vessel, which industry sources say could have sold for between €4 million and €6m, is on its way to the Mediterranean.
The 137-metre ship has 480 beds, 180 cabins, and 300 car spaces over two decks.
It has carried almost three million passengers in its time with Swansea Cork Ferries.
The new vessel will have more cabins and extra freight capacity.
@THE_Chris wrote:
Im sad at this, that Ferry was a part of my youth 🙁 Went on it many times, and could see it from the bedroom window in my old house 🙁
With cheaper flts rumour was passenger nos were well down but rumour also had it that trucks etc. up
so vessel needed was one with more truck decks and less passy desks/accomodation.
There again the day she sailed for last time out of cork , sold to egypt I think, it was a very strong rumour that that was it no replacement would be sought….
keep watch don’t think this thre end of it….@kite wrote:
From the Irish Examiner 1st August 2006:
Ferry offers refunds amid ship sale
Swansea Cork Ferries confirmed it will end its sailing season in October following its decision to sell its 34-year-old mv Superferry.
Managing director Thomas Hunter McGowan said negotiations were well advanced to buy a replacement vessel.
It will be ready to ply the route by March 16, 2007.
Up to 18,000 passengers were expected to travel the route during the winter period, which includes the Cork Jazz Festival and the busy Christmas rush.
By yesterday, up to 1,000 places had been booked. But because the buyers need the vessel in October, the company said its sailing season will end on October 7.
“All passengers booked for sailings in the winter period are being informed of this change,†Mr McGowan said.
The company has already contacted almost 800 passengers. They are being offered full refunds, earlier travel dates, or places on ferry routes out of Rosslare.
The company’s shore staff will not be affected by the sale. The 85 ferry staff, who had contracts until October pending possible extension, are likely to be employed on the new vessel next year.
The mv Superferry was built in Japan in 1972. It was rebuilt in Greece in 1991 and sold to Minoan Lines, who renamed the vessel Erotokritos. It was sold to Strintzis Lines in May 1991 who renamed it Superferry.
They, in turn, chartered it to Swansea Cork Ferries from 1993 to 2000, who then bought it in 2002, making it the first vessel to be owned by the company.
“She has served the route well but the market has changed and we require a different configuration for the future. Unfortunately age catches up on us all,†Mr McGowan said.
The identity of its buyer, and sale price are protected by a confidentiality clause.
However, it is understood the vessel, which industry sources say could have sold for between €4 million and €6m, is on its way to the Mediterranean.
The 137-metre ship has 480 beds, 180 cabins, and 300 car spaces over two decks.
It has carried almost three million passengers in its time with Swansea Cork Ferries.
The new vessel will have more cabins and extra freight capacity.
In the end the Superferry made it to the Red Sea and is now named MAHABBAH
http://www.veristar.com/wps/portal/equasis?IMO=7210305
Swansea Cork have skipped years in the past, they could yet be back in 2008.. one of their main problems in sourcing a vessel, is the size restrictions in Swansea. Not many newer ferries would fit.
@Fearg wrote:
In the end the Superferry made it to the Red Sea and is now named MAHABBAH
http://www.veristar.com/wps/portal/equasis?IMO=7210305
Swansea Cork have skipped years in the past, they could yet be back in 2008.. one of their main problems in sourcing a vessel, is the size restrictions in Swansea. Not many newer ferries would fit.
Sure is, tight spot. Maybe we could see Pembroke on the list again…
Swansea was handy being close to the M4. Pembroke has no advantage over Fishguard,
One wonders what kind of business sells their single major asset before a replacement has been secured.
@goldiefish wrote:
Swansea was handy being close to the M4. Pembroke has no advantage over Fishguard,
One wonders what kind of business sells their single major asset before a replacement has been secured.
Exactly what business would sell their vessel and scuttle their business before a new one was secured ?
Mockery indeed.:mad:
From to-day’s quondam Cork Examiner:
Shipless firm cancels 2007 sailings and axes 35 jobs
SWANSEA Cork Ferries (SCF) announced last night that it would be cancelling all sailings for 2007 after it failed to secure a ship for the new season.
The service was estimated to be worth €35m to the tourist economy in the south and its closure will result in the loss of 35 jobs. In a statement, SCF said that the decision was taken following the “company’s failure to procure a suitable vessel” to replace its ship, mv Superferry, which it sold last October.
The statement said SCF sold the 35-year-old vessel primarily because of age and because its freight capacity limitations were seen as a major inhibition on the growth of the business. The company had been seeking a vessel across Europe and beyond – travelling to the south of France and other locations looking for a short-haul ferry.
The company revealed that two vessels had been identified “whose configuration suited conditions on the Wales/South West of Ireland route”.
In November, the company successfully bid for the purchase of a modern ferry which was to cost them in excess of €30m.
Unfortunately for SCF, the seller was, the company claims, unable to fulfil all of the sale conditions and the deal collapsed in Christmas week. Since then, SCF has made an unsuccessful bid for an alternative ship and has unsuccessfully sought temporary charter arrangements to sustain the service.
All company creditors have been discharged and any outstanding accounts will be paid in full.
SCF was established in 1987, following the withdrawal of the B&I sailing service from Cork.
Since then, it has carried more than three million passengers on its route.
A company spokesman has said that the decision to suspend service was taken with regret especially when the market is in a favourable condition.
“It is ironic that the service has had to be suspended at a time when the market indicators suggest an upturn in ferry travel.
“It is our ambition to resume the service in 2008 and we would like to sincerely thank our staff for their commitment to the service and our passengers over the years for their support,” he added.
Local TD Bernard Allen, FG spoke of his sadness at the news of the cancellation.
“I regret greatly that efforts were not successful to secure a new vessel.
“It is a huge blow to the region. A lot of people have been using the service to go to Heineken Cup Rugby matches and other events. It is going to be bad for 2007,” he said.
Deputy Cathleen Lynch, TD, described the cancellations as “unhelpful” for the Cork/Kerry region but added that it was not all doom and gloom.
“The company have suffered difficulties with ships, crews and rates of pay and I think that this has come home to roost,” she said.
Niall O’Connor
Govt ‘must step in to save ferry future’
09/01/2007 – 15:05:27 – EVENING ECHOLeading Cork business figures have called on the government to step in and secure the future of Swansea Cork Ferries.
The company announced yesterday that they are to suspend all of their services for 2007 after failing to secure a new vessel.
They sold their 35-year-old ship in October last year after it was agreed that an offer in the region of €6m for the vessel was too good to turn down.
They have spent the last number of months attempting to secure a new vessel in the hope that 30 job losses and the route cancellation could be avoided.
A comment was not available from company managing director Thomas Hunter McGowan, but a company spokesman today said that every effort possible had been made to locate a new ship but that it was too late to save the service for 2007.
He said that following a traumatic few days the company would resume their search to source a ship for 2008.
It is understood 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.
However industry sources say that as well as there being a shortage of ferries on the European market at the moment, any ferry serving the Swansea — Cork route required specific characteristics to enter Swansea Port, making the buying process even more difficult.
Solicitor, Charlie Hennessy and, investment consultant, Pat Dineen who were involved in the restoration of the Cork-Swansea ferry link in the early eighties, today called on the government to help the company secure a new ferry.
“The ferry is vital to the region and we must now see the State offer whatever support is necessary. If necessary the State should be prepared to take over the company and operate it as a state service, as it is vital to the tourism industry in the south west,” Mr Hennessy told The Evening Echo.
A recent economic report shows that the service is worth some €35m to the region of Cork and Kerry annually.
A number of other local business leaders said that Cork industry would reel from the massive financial losses that would be felt with the loss of the service.
Conor Healy, chief executive of the Cork Chamber and Donal Healy, leader of the Cork Business Association (CBA) both urged the Government to step in and intervene.
Minister for Enterprise Micheal Martin said he will be holding talks with Minister for Tourism John O’Donoghue.
@goldiefish wrote:
At least we still have brittany ferries.
Agreed, but disappointing all the same to hear of the loss. I’m surprised the twinning committee haven’t said anything. Surely they had something to do with the ferry service being established in some way or another, or vice versa. There’s quite a large bit in today’s Echo about Cork’s train services, both the Suburban Rail and the Intercity trains to Dublin. I love the fact that the Midleton railway line re-opening has been mentioned about twice a month since 2005. What a joke! Hopefully the whole SCF situation will have a happy ending, I really don’t want to see it gone forever.
@goldiefish wrote:
Since 2005?????
Its been an election promise since about 1980.
thats true,
you’re thinking of 2005 because it was the year we were promised that kent station would get 25 million to be turned around and face the quays and be integrated with the bus station – going to cost a lot more now, at least 4 million more given that this is what they are spending on the lick of paint and a few more shops in the revamo they are doing now and all will have to be disturbed surely when the station is turned around –
According to the front of the Echo (online) it says Cork transport is getting a €68m boost, mainly for County projects. But over €2m has been allocated for the rest of the Grand Parade project. Does anyone have pics of what the Grand Parade should look like when complete – or even a discription?:rolleyes:
Try: http://www.eveningecho.ie/pdf/front.pdf
if not try http://www.eveningecho.ie
The bottom of the article. Some of the article spills onto further pages withing the paper!
Heard there’s going to be a new contol tower built at the airport. Only word of mouth at the moment, but it seems to make sense if the old terminal is to be knocked. Was out there the other day, looks to be busy constantly but it’s a shame we haven’t had a new route announcement in months. Starbucks make the airport, there should be another one open up in the city.
It would be money better spent I agree. Where would they be getting the money from in the first place? I believe there is still the matter of who’s going to pay the €200 million.
Is there any chance of someone at Cork Airport figuring out how to use the airbridges so that unfortunate passengers can disembrak from or board a plane without having to climb or descend five flights of stairs?
Those idle air bridges standing uselessly there on the apron remind me of certain countries in the farther reaches of the Limpopo that built frost-free highways!!
@A-ha wrote:
It would be money better spent I agree. Where would they be getting the money from in the first place? I believe there is still the matter of who’s going to pay the €200 million.
I may be wrong on this, but I think the control tower would be financed by the IAA rather than the airport
@Praxiteles wrote:
Is there any chance of someone at Cork Airport figuring out how to use the airbridges so that unfortunate passengers can disembrak from or board a plane without having to climb or descend five flights of stairs?
Those idle air bridges standing uselessly there on the apron remind me of certain countries in the farther reaches of the Limpopo that built frost-free highways!!
Airbridge. There’s only one there, the others are just the stumps of airbridges.
At the moment Centralwings and Malev are using it. Aer Lingus are in dispute with the airport over the cost. Most of the other airlines either can’t use it (e.g. Aer Arann) or won’t use it regardless of the cost (e.g. Ryanair).
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