It has been on somewhere else, perhaps not this forum, and a comment was made that it's an SNCF operation, and perhaps 'solutions might be found', but if not, every French ferry worker would be out on strike in sympathy, so anyone booked with any other operators ought to be aware and wait for 'the blockades'.
I will be suprised if the French let that one go, they have been around ages, and it would be a dent to French pride. just hope the French people don't blockade the ports in a bid to save it, or not until I have made my crossing first, not bothered if I can't get back, Northern France can be quite nice in July I am told.
Doesn't that just show the difference between the 2 countries. Speedferries go with a whimper, but the French are threatening strikes already for SeaFrance !
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Speedferries from memory was not English! It would not be in anyone's interest for Sea France to close because it would reduce competition and capacity with the likely effect that prices will rise.
No prizes for guessing which side of the channel the majority of the job cuts will be. Remind me again what the rationale for us having such cr*p labour laws is?
Liz
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Interesting post from many angles.It is not the "mad summer dash" which keeps the ferry companies gooing, it is the freight. If freight is 25% down, where are the trucks?, and the true figure may be camoflaged by the tunnel operation coming back to full strength..Drop in trucks means that drop in imports --good, not out balanced by increase in exports---bad
Must be difficult for ferry companies to balance the books between car and truck traffic. Trucks are 365/24/7, so if they are falling drastically, hence the Sea France scenario. It would be a surprise if P&O were n't equally effected. Makes for an interesting situation on the short crossing routes. Commercial traffic "has to go" within limits, so if times are bad, prices will be raised to the limit. July /August is a mad surge, and if capacity is reduced, again there is a case to raise prices on a " some will pay" needs must basis.Makes for an interesting season.
My guess? I think it was ValA who said " There may be trouble ahead", and you have to expect the occasional greves, after all it is part of the SNCF tradition. Suspect western routes Brittany Ferries will carry on regardless, the Bretons are a law unto themselves. Not sure about LD Lines, I think "watch this space". Norfolk Lines seem to have a good operation, and Dunkerque is n't usually militant. P & O North Sea ? Hmmmm interesting one, massive organisation world wide, must be safe? Hope so, otw we will have to change our plans and go to Butlins.
I am surprised by this
For the last few years the £ has been strong and trade dominated by us 60,000,000 brits travelling to Europe but few of the 100s,000,000 Europeans coming to UK . Now the € is king the Europeans should turn up here in greater numbers generating more business - at least until they discover our weather
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Topic: SeaFrance Going Bust Like Speedferries?
