THE CORK-Swansea ferry service could be up and running by next month if shareholders agree to a deal to purchase a new vessel, the MS Julia.
A consortium of shareholders is expected to fully ratify the deal at a meeting in Skibbereen, west Cork tonight. The 28-year-old Finnish vessel, which was recently refitted, will undergo some minor alterations to comply with Irish maritime law. It is hoped that it can start sailing between Swansea and Cork before June.
The deal also needs to be ratified by creditors of the Finnish firm that used to own the vessel.
West Cork Tourism chairman Conor Buckley said he hoped co-op members – who have raised almost €3 million in pledged investments to help purchase the ferry – would ratify the sale agreement when they meet at the West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen tonight.
“This is a huge milestone for the consortium and we are confident that the deal will be accepted wholeheartedly by shareholders,” Mr Buckley said. “We believe that we have negotiated a great deal which, in some ways is even more attractive than what was originally on the table.”
At 155 metres long, the MS Julia has previously run routes between Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The vessel can carry up to 1,800 passengers and can accommodate almost 500 cars.
The new boat is expected to cost about €10 million, of which the Munster co-operative of buyers will be expected to provide €3 million. An additional €6 million is expected to come from a loan issued by a bank that has a vested interest in the boat.
The consortium is accepting investment pledges and a new online donation system, www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com, welcomes smaller amounts of cash from supporters of the campaign.
Established seven weeks ago, the consortium has been accepting pledges since February 12th and has been in talks to negotiate a deal for the MS Julia for the past three weeks.
Fine Gael MEP candidate for Ireland South and former GAA president Seán Kelly said the resumption of the service would be a major boost for tourism and business in Munster.