EFFORTS TO save the Swansea Cork ferry service are under way with the owners of the company due to make presentations to two local authorities today in a bid to receive vital funding to guarantee the future of the route.
The Fastnet Line was placed into interim examinership last November and, last week at the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly agreed to extend court protection for the company to the maximum period of 100 days, which will expire next month.
Representatives of the Fastnet Line will attend a special meeting of Cork County Council this morning before making a similar presentation to Cork City Council later in the day. A further submission for funding will be made to Kerry County Council in the coming weeks.
It is understood the company requires a cash injection of €500,000 to help restart the link.
The ferry service is considered a critical access route for tourists to the southwest. It has carried over 153,000 passengers since its launch in March 2010 and provides a link for visitors from the UK to the region, estimated to be worth €40 million. The service also carried €65 million worth of freight during that period.
Cllr Tim Lombard, mayor of the county of Cork, said the service provides a vital link between the region and Britain.
“It is the only ferry link that we have from Cork to the UK. Our economic recovery depends on key industries like the tourism industry and it is vital that we maintain this important link.”
MV Juliamade its maiden voyage from Swansea to Cork in March 2010. West Cork Tourism began its campaign at the beginning of 2009 to raise funds to get a service back on the Cork Swansea route after a previous service was axed. A co-op was formed with some 300 members who each contributed €10,000 towards the total cost of purchasing the boat.