SWANSEA Cork Ferries is close to choosing a ship to replace its existing Superferry on its service from Wales to southern Ireland.
Marketing manager Alec Maguire said the ferry operator, which was acquired by its Irish directors from Greek owner Strintz in May, is almost certain to have the replacement ship by early March 2000, the start of next season.
The company is looking for a ship with the same or slightly higher capacity, but with more cabins.
Superferry carries up to 1,400 passengers but can sleep only 450 people.
“We know if they cannot get a cabin, passengers choose another route,” said Maguire. “We would get more business from individual passengers and coach operators if we had more cabins.”
The crossing from Swansea to Cork takes 10hrs and operates overnight except in peak season.
Maguire said car carryings for 1999 are up about 5% on last year at 43,000, while passenger numbers have risen 2% to 150,000.
“The car market to Ireland is down about 20% according to figures from the Irish Tourist Board, so we have increased market share,” said Maguire.
He added that Swansea Cork Ferries will stop sailing for the winter on November 7, two months earlier than previously.
“The weather has been so bad for the past two years that it has not been worth continuing,” he explained.