Nearly 70 jobs threatened as SeaCat cuts losses

Nearly 70 jobs in Belfast were on the line tonight as fast-ferry operator SeaCat drew up plans to cut losses.

The company is considering cutting operations between Belfast and Scotland from ten months a year to eight months.

A shortage of passengers is being blamed on the advent of the low cost airlines.

SeaCat was the pioneer of fast ferry travel on the Irish Sea, but chief operating manager, John Burrows said it had been losing money for years on the route.

“Like any business or even your household budget, if you continue to lose money over a long period of time it is unsustainable.”

The company operates a fast ferry between Belfast and Troon in Scotland from March to January.

It is considering reducing that, and when the vessel returns to duty next March after going into dry-dock for its annual overhaul it will only operate until November – and then take four winter months off.

The company said today it had entered into consultations with staff unions and employees regarding what, at the moment, was being described as “possible modification” to the Belfast/Troon service next year.

It was with a view to “reducing winter losses and improving summer profits.”

Mr Burrows said: “The travel industry has undergone immense change following the introduction of low cost airlines.

“As a dynamic company we must react to meet the demands of the market and our customers.”

He said they were examining a number of possible changes and no decision was being made until the consultations had been completed.

However, it is understood the main option, reducing services to eight months, will be adopted with the resulting 68 redundancies in Belfast.