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| Ferry company could cut 650 jobs | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Cross-Channel ferry operator SeaFrance could cut 650 jobs to try to survive the recession. | |
| The company, which runs ferries between Dover and Calais, blamed "a difficult financial situation" for the move. | The company, which runs ferries between Dover and Calais, blamed "a difficult financial situation" for the move. |
| Announcing a restructuring plan, the firm said there had been a "steep fall in the cross-Channel freight market". | |
| A statement said 650 jobs could be shed in France, affecting both sea-going and shore-based staff, and the firm would be restructured. | |
| It said it would put forward "a comprehensive series of measures to assist those affected" with the support of its shareholder SNCF. | It said it would put forward "a comprehensive series of measures to assist those affected" with the support of its shareholder SNCF. |
| 'Downsized fleet' | 'Downsized fleet' |
| The statement said SeaFrance was faced with an "unprecedented situation" which was "exacerbated particularly by the steep fall in the cross-Channel freight market". | |
| It said the freight market was 23% down in January compared with a year ago - the equivalent of 800,000 trucks in a full year. | |
| The company said it was "proposing the steps essential to secure a return to profitability and its long-term future". | The company said it was "proposing the steps essential to secure a return to profitability and its long-term future". |
| The plan would see "significant reorganisation of the company", it added. | The plan would see "significant reorganisation of the company", it added. |
| Measures would include downsizing the SeaFrance fleet to reduce costs. | |
| It said the company's projected freight and tourism volumes could be accommodated on its three superferries - the Berlioz, Rodin and Molière. | It said the company's projected freight and tourism volumes could be accommodated on its three superferries - the Berlioz, Rodin and Molière. |
| SeaFrance said the move would achieve a return to break-even by 2010 and become a "strong and successful force in the industry by 2011". | |
| Last year, it was announced that more than 100 workers faced redundancy at another cross-Channel operator, SpeedFerries, after no buyer came forward for the firm. | Last year, it was announced that more than 100 workers faced redundancy at another cross-Channel operator, SpeedFerries, after no buyer came forward for the firm. |
| The firm, which ran the vessel SpeedOne between Dover and Boulogne, went into administration in November. | The firm, which ran the vessel SpeedOne between Dover and Boulogne, went into administration in November. |
| Administrators from Ernst and Young said they had tried to save the business but found no buyers. | Administrators from Ernst and Young said they had tried to save the business but found no buyers. |
| A government rapid deployment team was sent to Dover to help workers. | A government rapid deployment team was sent to Dover to help workers. |