Fuel Costs Affecting Fast Ferries in Europe

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/10/11/fuel-cost-sees-cuts-to-winter-ferries-55578-22011238/
"Fuel cost sees cuts to winter ferries"
Oct 11 2008 by Owen R Hughes, Daily Post

"IRISH Ferries is slashing its fast craft sailings from Holyhead, and Stena Line is also reviewing its operation over the winter season – because of the cost of fuel.

Irish Ferries will reduce the sailings of the Jonathan Swift boat from two round trips daily to one from November 3.

They will withdraw the 8.45am from Dublin to Holyhead and the return trip at 12noon.

Stena has also told the Daily Post it is assessing the situation with the HHS Explorer fast ferry as they approach the quieter winter period.

The company said no decision had been made and that two sailings were currently continuing.

An Irish Ferries spokesman said: “As indicated in the late summer, Irish Ferries has been actively reviewing the schedule of its fast craft service for the less busy winter season as a result of the continued high level of fuel costs.”

“With effect from 3rd November 2008, the Irish Ferries Dublin Swift service between Dublin and Holyhead will reduce from two round trips per day to one round trip daily. The revised fast craft schedule will be kept under ongoing review and will depend on prevailing conditions, including fuel costs.”

The reduced timetable will remain in place until April 2 although there will be two daily sailings over the Christmas holiday period from December 19 and January 5.

Services of the superferry Ulysses will continue as normal.

A spokesman added: 'All existing bookings on the withdrawn sailings will be transferred to alternative sailings and customers will be notified accordingly.'"

Fuel costs should be coming down some here in Hawaii. But, destruction of demand in the local economy is becoming more apparent, along with a likely changing political environment. The days of political influence are numbered.

Aloha, Brad