Jobs face axe as SeaCat threatens to close ferry

SEACAT yesterday threatened to close its loss-making Troon to Belfast ferry route unless it can cut costs, which may include redundancies.

The firm is discussing possible savings with the route’s 45 staff in an effort to resume services in March.

Sailings were cut to summer only last year in an attempt to reduce costs on the route, which was switched from Stranraer in 1999.

SeaCat blamed competition from no-frills airlines and rising fuel prices for its losses.

But P&O launched a rival Troon to Larne service in 2003 and said traffic had increased substantially last year. SeaCat’s vessels are also unable to carry freight, unlike its rivals, which also include Stena Line and P&O services from Stranraer and Cairnryan.