Ferry offers refunds amid ship sale

HUNDREDS of ferry passengers were being offered full refunds last night after a top ferry company cut short its sailing season following the sale of its only vessel.

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.