Stena to suspend HSS service
Stena Line said its HSS craft will be suspended on the Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead route from September 13 until next year.
Michael McGrath, area director for Stena Line’s Irish Sea services, blamed the cutbacks on the high cost of operating the two-hour sailing.
He said: “The fast craft service operating between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead has traded at a financial loss for several years.
“The high operating costs of the HSS Stena Explorer, particularly in terms of fuel costs and gas turbine maintenance, has been a major factor in this and despite all our attempts to reduce operating costs over the last few years, it has not been possible to return the route to profitability.”
Stena said the HSS craft will operate as a seasonal service only. The operator will continue to run two traditional ferries year-round between Dublin Port and Holyhead.
“The vast majority of revenue from the fast craft service is generated from car and coach guests and is received during the peak summer trading period,” Mr McGrath said.
Last year, almost three-quarters of Stena’s business on the HSS Irish Sea service was between May and September, the firm said.
Unlike the other services, there was little year-round freight business on the high-speed route, Stena added.
Mr McGrath said the decision is regrettable because of the impact on the ship’s personnel but “has to be taken”.
The HSS Stena Explorer currently operates one sailing a day.
Stena said 88 staff working on the high-speed route will be affected, including 24 involved in Dun Laoghaire travel centre and ship handling as well as general operatives and clerical staff. Another 55 crew working on board will be impacted.
The company begins a 30-day consultation period with trade unions SIPTU, RMT and Nautilus tomorrow.
A Stena spokesman said workers would be offered voluntary redundancy or redeployment within the company, but declined to say how many lay-offs were expected.
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