Plans to relaunch Cork-Swansea ferry on hold until 2010

PLANS to relaunch the Cork-Swansea ferry route have been dry-docked for this year.

The co-operative behind the venture – which has already purchased a vessel – says it’s now too late in the season to launch it.

Conor Buckley, chairman of West Cork Tourism, which formed the co-operative, said it would be more prudent to start operations early next March so they can capitalise on a full tourist season.

The news will come as a major disappointment to the tourist sector, but Mr Buckley said the decision would benefit shareholders and tourists’ interests in the long term.

The co-operative collected €3 million and with a loan from a Finnish bank was able to purchase a 1,800-berth ferry, the Julia.

Capable of carrying 400 cars, she previously plied the Baltic Sea and is currently in dry dock in Finland.

“The process of acquiring the ferry went on much longer than expected and at this point it’s unrealistic to have her up and running this summer,” said Mr Buckley.

Plans are being made to bring the Julia back to Cork where she will be fitted out to comply with Irish regulations.

“We will need to get her kited out and get a crew and that will take time. It’s the opinion of the co-op that this is a 50-year project.

“It will be in the long-term interest of the shareholders and the community at large that we get it right,” said Mr Buckley.

The Port of Cork and British Associated Ports had promised incentives to the operators to restart the service, while Cork County Council and Fáilte Ireland were expected to provide €500,000 for a marketing campaign.

Port of Cork commercial manager Captain Michael McCarthy said he was disappointed the ferry would not be sailing this year, but heartened by the co-op’s decision to proceed in 2010.

“It would be better to build on solid foundations rather than to rush this through for the last minute,” said Capt McCarthy.

“It gives the Port of Cork the opportunity of building up freight business for the ferry operators and we will work closely with them to achieve this.”

The previous route operators, Swansea-Cork Ferries, stopped sailings in late 2006.

The company ceased operations when it sold on the MV Superferry and failed to purchase a replacement.

As a result the crew of 120 lost their jobs, along with 45 shore staff in Ireland and a further 30 in Swansea.