Swansea to Cork ferry link may reopen

A THIRD company is examining the possibility of reopening the Swansea-Cork ferry link, it emerged last night.

The 2morrow group, which operates HD Ferries between the Channel Islands and France, is drawing up a business plan in the hope of being able to commence a service next April or May.

A decision on whether it will proceed with the plan is expected imminently.

The company is understood to be looking at a year-round service, with a five-day weekly service in the peak summer period, reducing to three days a week during the winter.

Sources in Wales say the company is looking at starting a low-cost service to stimulate growth and will use a ship capable of carrying up to 500 passengers, 120 cars and 25 lorry trailers.

The company’s ferry service between Jersey, Guernsey and France has proved very popular. It used a WebRes reservation system and offers a high-speed, no frills operation, with six crossings per day.

The company itself was unavailable for comment.

Repeated attempts in recent days to get a comment from Cork-Swansea Ferries have also failed. The company, which closed the service last year, had earlier said it would have a decision by October 12. A week ago sources there said delicate talks were still under way with financial companies.

Another company, headed by a Co Kerry businessman, is believed to be still pursuing the purchase of a Scandinavian ferry.

Port of Cork marketing manager Michael McCarthy admitted the longer any of the prospective operators took to close a deal made it more difficult to market the service for 2008.

However, he said he was still “very hopeful” the level of interest being expressed by the three parties would lead to a resumption of a ferry service between Swansea and Cork for next year’s tourist season.

His sentiments were echoed by the former mayor of County Cork, Cllr John O’Shea.

Mr O’Shea, who comes from Bantry, said that the west Cork area had suffered immeasurably with an estimated €35 million lost to the region last year because the ferry was out of action.

“It’s vital that we get a service back,” he said.

County manager Martin Riordan said he was pleased to hear what appeared to be more positive news. He said the council was prepared to work with interest groups to ensure the service was restored.

The current Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Tom Sheahan, said figures showed there had been a major drop in the number of British tourists visiting Cork and Kerry.

“As an island there are only two ways into the country, by air and by sea. It is vitally important that we keep our sea routes open,” said Mr Sheahan.