Ferry operators face stormy times

RISING fuel costs, cheap air fares and stiff competition from Brittany Ferries is making life on the high seas very difficult for other operators.

P&O posted serious losses for its operations yesterday while life on the ocean wave has not been so difficult for Stena Line since 1998 when the government ended Duty Free to comply with EU regulations.

Stena Line said yesterday in an update of current trading, passenger and car that volumes on its Irish Sea routes were ahead by 4% for the first six months of the year. It carried an extra 50,000 passengers and 10,000 more cars.