Ferry News Archive
SNCM says sorry to 3,000 passengers stranded in sizzling Marseilles
Date: 05 Jul 2006 00:00 Source: Lloyds ListNewly privatised French Mediterranean ferry operator SNCM has apologised to some 3,000 passengers who found themselves stranded in the sizzling heat at the port of Marseilles on Monday following industrial action by seafarers, writes Andrew Spurrier in Paris.
The dispute was the first public clash between seafarers’ unions and the company since SNCM came under the control of its new majority shareholders, Veolia Transport and Butler Capital Partners, at the start of June.
The company claimed yesterday, however, that the dispute appeared worse than it was because many passengers had already been left stranded by the cancellation of a sailing to Algeria on Sunday because of the late arrival of one of its ships from repair.
The Ile de la Beauté had been due to leave Marseilles for Algiers at mid-day on Sunday but was delayed at a repair yard in Genoa.
The company proposed transporting the stranded passengers on the Méditerranée on Monday but this vessel was held up unexpectedly by industrial action by seafarers who were protesting over the company’s plans to axe three jobs as part of plans to reduce operating costs. Their action left more than 2,000 passengers on the open quayside in temperatures of over 30°C, many of them without refreshment. A number had to be given treatment by the emergency services after being overcome by the heat.
In addition to passengers waiting to leave for Algeria, 850 passengers destined for the island of Corsica found themselves caught up in the dispute. SNCM claimed it had secured an agreement over the seafarers’ grievances at a meeting on June 27 but said it decided to take unilateral action to end the strike on humanitarian grounds on Monday evening.
A spokesman declined to confirm yesterday that it had given in to the seafarers’ demands but said that the Méditerranée had been able to leave Marseilles shortly before midnight on Monday. He added that services were operating normally yesterday and that the Ile de la Beauté was due back in service yesterday evening.
Loss-making SNCM was hit by a three-week strike in September last year as personnel protested over the government’s plans to privatise the company.
The privatisation took effect at the end of May but Veolia has warned that the company will not survive unless it wins a renewal of the public service concession for ferry services between the French mainland and the island of Corsica.
The company is due to submit its bid for the concession early next month but will have to wait until late September or early October to know if it has been successful or not.
More Ferry News from directferries.co.uk
Date: 18 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Travel to France this Summer with Brittany Ferries by car with an additional passenger from just £175 return or from £87.50 return if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 14 May 2012 Source: Grandi Navi Veloci
Italian ferry giant Grandi Navi Veloci have opened 2 new services connecting France with Morocco.
Date: 08 May 2012 Source: Brittany Ferries
Spend up to 2 days in France from just £99 return when you travel with Brittany Ferries by car and take an additional passenger or from £49.50 if you travel by motorbike (rider and pillion).
Date: 05 May 2012 Source: Corsica Sardinia Ferries
If you're planning on travelling to Corsica, Sardinia or Elba this Summer with Corsica Sardinia Ferries then take a look at our new ship guides and find out what it's like onboard before you travel!
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: DFDS Seaways
Take your car by ferry to France with DFDS Seaways from Dover to Dunkirk or Calais from just £19 return.
Date: 01 May 2012 Source: P&O Ferries
Spend up to 5 days abroad and pay just £49 return when you travel from Dover to Calais with P&O Ferries.
Date: 30 April 2012 Source: Toremar
Italian ferry operator Toremar is now available to be booked online across the direct ferries network.
Date: 25 April 2012 Source: P&O Irish Sea
Take your car on the ferry between Scotland and Northern Ireland with P&O Ferries and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 18 April 2012 Source: Stena Line
Take your car on any ferry to Northern Ireland or Ireland with Stena Line and take a second passenger for FREE – a saving of up to £50 on a return crossing!
Date: 16 April 2012 Source: Irish Ferries
You can now save up to 30% when you take the ferry to Ireland between Monday and Thursday in April and May with Irish Ferries.