Larne Cairnryan Survival

The Larne-Cairnryan ferry service appeared to have escaped unscathed from a major cutback programme announced today by its owners, P&O. The company announced in London that it was axing 1,200 jobs as a result of the closure of four English Channel ferry routes.

But there was no immediate sign that its Irish Sea operations, which include the Larne-based operation, would be affected, good news for motorcyclists taking in regular trips to the mainland.

P&O said its tourist traffic on the English Channel routes had been "adversely affected by fewer day trips and the expansion of the low-cost airlines".

It added that on its western Channel routes the number of ships operated would be reduced from six to one. One of the surplus ships will be redeployed elsewhere, one will be redelivered to the owner and three will be chartered out - two to Brittany Ferries and the other subject to ongoing discussions with third parties.

On the Dover-Calais route, six ships will be operated compared with seven at present but, through rescheduling, service frequency and capacity in peak periods will be unchanged.

The company added, "new, more flexible manning arrangements and changes in work practices are proposed". The company also said that as many as 350 jobs would be transferred.

P&O chief executive Robert Woods added: "I am determined to see a major improvement in the profitability of P&O Ferries. "What we are announcing today will enable us to have a simplified, customer-focused product operated on fewer routes."

MAG comments, “From a motorcyclists point of view we have lost flexibility and choice with cuts over the past three years, most recently in the removal of the Belfast - Heysham service. This does tend to put off bikers in Northern Ireland going to rallies on the mainland with an almost guaranteed ride of 250 miles to get to an event in England. Lets hope Irish Sea remains unaffected by the cuts being made, a favourite route for those going to rallies such as The Farmyard Party or Stormin the Castle.”

MAG members should get in touch with the region when booking travel to the mainland and let us quote you competitively. 

Issued 29 Sept 04