Swansea Cork ferry

After disposing of their most recent vessel, the MV Superferry, and failing to find a suitable replacement, Swansea Cork Ferries Ltd announced that they would not be operating the service during the 2007 summer season.

Press reports show that the loss of the passenger ferry service dealt a blow to the economies of both South West Wales and the Cork area in Ireland.

Tourism sources in West Cork said that the ferry's loss resulted in a 30% drop in tourists coming into the region from Britain, particularly hurting hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and camping centres.

In Swansea and South West Wales the hotel, pub, restaurant and B&B trade has been hit by the loss of Irish visitors—an influx that in 2006 brought £65m to the Welsh economy.

[3] Two local businessmen in West Cork started a campaign and website in April 2008 to highlight the impact of the continuing lack of the Ferry service, www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com; this was superseded by a new site at www.peoplesferry.com.

[5][6] After a long process of negotiation, including approval by the Finnish courts, it was announced in mid-September 2009 that the ship to run the new service, MS Julia, had been purchased for Fastnet Line.

The owners, West Cork Tourism Co-operative Society, stated that aid rules and "red tape" prevented them relaunching the Fastnet Line service despite pledges of financial support.