Jobs and ferries to go at SeaFrance in bid to rescue company

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The cross-Channel ferry operator SeaFrance has announced it could cut up to 650 jobs, and downsize its fleet in a bid to turn-around its ailing fortunes.

The company has been hit hard by a hefty drop in freight traffic over the twelve months to January, with a reduction of 23% recorded compared with the same time last year, the equivalent of 800,000 trucks over the year.

The company plans to cut 650 jobs in France, with both sea-going and shore based staff likely to be affected.  According to the company's projections for traffic over the coming years, they could manage the volumes with just their three 'super ferries', the Berlioz, Rodin and Moliere, and are therefore likely to trim the size of the fleet.

It is hoped the measures, which the company say are essential to "secure a return to profitability and its future," will mean they will break-even in 2010, and return to profit in 2011.