IRISH Ferries, the operating subsidiary of Irish Continental Group, may take over the Swedish flagged ferry Silja Scandinavia, which currently sails between Stockholm and Turku, Finland, according to the Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet.

Irish Ferries, which inspected the Silja Scandinavia about three months ago, is considering using the vessel on its routes between Ireland and France, the paper said. "We have inspected the boat," Irish Ferries traffic director Mr Eddie Kean told Svenska, underlining that no decision had yet been taken and that other ferry alternatives were being considered.