Grand-Ferry

Iranian ferry operator Karaneh Lines is to start what is believed to be the Arabian Gulf’s first ro-pax service linking Kuwait, Qatar and Oman in 2019 using the former SNCM-owned 1983-built CORSE.

Nov 4 (Reuters) – France-Corsica ferry operator SNCM has suspended payments to creditors and will file for court protection on Tuesday, the firm said in a statement late on Monday. Majority-owned by public transport firm Transdev, which is owned by water firm Veolia and French state bank CDC, SNCM said its management would now focus on finding a buyer for the firm. The court protection procedure will effectively mean the end of loss-making SNCM, which is unable to repay 440 million euros ($550 million) of illegal state aid as ordered by European Union competition authorities. Shipping companies could buy some of its ferries and take over part of its 1,900-strong staff to continue the key Marseille-Corsica lines, but other routes are expected to be discontinued. The firm’s unions, who have fought against moves to seek court protection for months, said they had no immediate plans to go on strike.

The Corsica is still stuck at dock in the port Marseille. The ship was to sail to Toulon last week to start a new service between Bastia and Ajaccio on Jan 27. But a strike launched by the CGT on January 20 detained the vessel. The high court of Marseille on Jan 25 declared the strike as illegal and ordered the CGT to lift its strike call and stop blocking the "Corse". But the ship didn't move since. The company management started disciplinary proceedings against some strikers. The vessel is only blocked by nine sailors and hindered the launch of the new line between Toulon, Bastia and Ajaccio. The service from Toulon proposed by SNCM consists of three round trips a week to Corsica, two to Bastia and to Ajaccio. French report with photo: http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=118608