Up to 60 jobs may be lost after DFDS announced that it is to terminate its ferry services from Dublin Port on 31 January.
DFDS is a Dutch company which is registered in Europe.
CEO of DFDS Niels Smedegaard has said 'it is with deep regret, that we close these routes. Despite an impressive effort from
employees and a very comprehensive analysis of the market and evaluation of turnaround scenarios we have not succeeded in developing viable solutions for the routes.
The market conditions in the area are quite simply too difficult and unfortunately we do not envisage any
improvement in the near future.'
Mr Smedegaard has said that a period of consultation has commenced with the 50 land based personnel who will
be directly affected with the aim of mitigating the consequences of any resultant redundancies.
Ken Fleming of SIPTU has described the closure of the company's operations as a most serious development for the Dublin Port and Docks and its workforce and for the crews and other employees of DFDS.
SIPTU officials will meet with the Union's Port and Docks members at a general meeting next Monday and will also meet with company management in order to obtain details of a redundancy package.
Mr Fleming has said it is clear that the company decision has been arrived at due to over-capacity in the business and the over-issuing of licences to shipping companies at a time when the Irish ferry trade is stagnant.
Ken Fleming said: ‘This is a most serious development for Dublin Port and for the DFDS workforce. It is a direct result of the policy of over-issuing licences to shipping companies which has resulted in ship owners driving down wages and conditions below the legal minimum wage and safety standards.’
