Stena Line expects to report a strong performance on its Southern Corridor Route between Fishguard and Rosslare…
Stena Line expects to report a strong performance on its Southern Corridor Route between Fishguard and Rosslare at the year-end, despite some operational problems with its Stena Express fast craft in July.
Vic Goodwin, who was appointed Route Director at the beginning of the year, said: “We are very pleased with the development of the route and have worked hard to turn things around. The expected return to a reasonable level of profitability is very pleasing bearing in mind that the route has not been profitable since the abolition of Duty Free in 1998.”
Vic added: “We have seen a small growth in our Tourist and Freight volumes in what is a very competitive market but have been successful in reducing our operating costs and consequently will yield a very positive financial development. We have also worked very hard to continuously improve our service standards, acknowledged by the fact that the business achieved the Hospitality Assured Accreditation for service and business excellence following independent audits by representatives from Hotel and Catering International Management Association (MCIMA) conducted on the Route. We are delighted with this recognition. Launched in 1998, the Hospitality Assured standard is only awarded to organisations in the hospitality industry that demonstrate the highest possible standards of service. All these factors are having a positive impact on the route”.
Stena Line will carry around 43,000 Freight vehicles, 154,000 Cars/Coaches and 620,000 Passengers on the Fishguard – Rosslare Route this year.
Commenting on 2005, Vic said:
“Our Swedish owners have demonstrated their commitment to South Wales when they purchased a fast craft for this route, the Stena Express, which entered service in April 2004. The fast craft, which carries tourist vehicles and guests, operates in conjunction with the Superferry, the Stena Europe. We now have an unrivalled combination of conventional ferry and fast craft on this Southern Corridor, unlike our competitors. The ability to offer our customers a choice of such vessels is important to us and I believe our seasonal fast craft will stimulate trade into South Wales.
“We are also planning some timetable changes to our fast craft services in 2005 which we feel will create new marketing opportunities for us and also be of greater benefit to the South Wales economy. We are confident that we now have the building blocks in place to continue to take this route forward even more”.
Other initiatives affecting the Fishguard Harbour include a potential marina development, as Vic explains:
“Whilst we are not directly involved in the development from an investment perspective, we are very supportive of the initiative and will do everything we can to support the development which will be a tremendous boost to the local economy.”
Stena Line has confirmed that the company is in discussion with Rosslare Harbour regarding future port charges and will consider a long-term operating agreement for its vessels into the Port of Rosslare. This would be good news bearing in mind the recent announcements by other operators to reduce services into Ireland.
Vic Goodwin is also Route Director for the Central Corridor Services between Holyhead – Dublin and Holyhead – Dun Laoghaire and commented:
“The introduction of the Superferry, the Stena Adventurer, on our Holyhead – Dublin Route in July 2003 has proved very successful and together with the HSS Stena Explorer, the World’s largest fast craft, gives us a potent combination. We will achieve our profit target on this route too. It is very pleasing that the development on all our Wales to Ireland routes is very positive and is a reflection of the long-term commitment made by our Board of Directors and our Chairman, Dan Sten Olsson.”
Vic Goodwin recently received the Business Person of the Year Award at a ceremony held in Bangor University, North Wales on the 19 November 2004. The Achievement Wales Awards, recognise excellence in business in companies throughout North and Mid-Wales.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
