Talks on Swansea ferry return

TALKS on the possibility of reactivating the Swansea-Cork ferry service are said to be at a critical stage.

A West Cork-based businessman, who is originally from Kerry, and other stakeholders have held several meetings in recent weeks and are looking at sourcing funding.

Captain Michael McCarthy, the Port of Cork’s marketing manager, said yesterday talks were at a “delicate stage”.

Yesterday was the first anniversary of the termination of the link by Swansea-Cork Ferries.

Capt McCarthy said that he was doing all in his power to get the link reinstated.

A decision on whether to go ahead with the project will have to be made shortly, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to market in Britain for the summer season. The loss of the ferry link cost the south-west region €35 million in lost tourism revenue last year.

Two potential vessels have been identified, costing €20m each.

It is expected that the Port of Cork will offer somefinancial incentives. These are likely to include reduced fees for a period.

There have also been calls from Cork Business Association for Cork City Council and Cork County Council to offer financial assistance.

However, several county councillors have said the county council wouldn’t be able to help and have insisted the Government should intervene.

The mayor of County Cork, Cllr Tom Sheahan, said he understood the business interests trying to relaunch the ferry service still faced a shortfall in finances, but he was hoping this gap could be bridged.