Cork to Wales Passenger Ferry Services in times past

AwaitYourReply

Just read this fascinating blog (See Below web links) on the various ferry operators and vessels which included different ferry terminal departure points ex-Cork to several ports including Swansea but had also sailed from Cork to Fishguard or Pembroke Dock at different stages over the years. Last operator was under the brand name: Fastnet Line with Cork to Swansea service on the vessel "MV Julia" in the 2010/2011 period. The ferry was due to resume service in April 2012 but an announcement made in February 2012 confirmed the permanent closure of the direct passenger ferry link between Cork and Swansea which was established to boost tourism & trade particularly in the South-West Cork/Kerry region and similarly in Wales.

http://www.irish-ferries-enthusiasts.com/swansea-cork-ferries/

Unlikely to see any resumption of a Cork to UK direct ferry link in the years ahead as "BREXIT" makes it an even more difficult prospect.

Below newspaper article published back in 2013 discussed it's case. It's hard to see a way forward for any stand alone ferry operator into the future with just one route and long crossing time. Established ferry operators have not seen it as viable over the years or they would have jumped at the opportunity to run it.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/reopening-cork-uk-ferry-link-unfeasible-225861.html

L1011

There is an opinion that bad customs rulea would destroy throughput and capacity at Holyhead and force some Ireland - UK services to serve other ports - this is the only tiny chance of a resumption here but Dublin - Mostyn is probably more likely

AwaitYourReply

L1011 wrote: »

There is an opinion that bad customs rulea would destroy throughput and capacity at Holyhead and force some Ireland - UK services to serve other ports - this is the only tiny chance of a resumption here but Dublin - Mostyn is probably more likely

I tend to agree that it is highly unlikely that a standalone Cork - UK passenger ferry link will resume in the future in the current circumstances. The 10 hour crossing would need to be more appealing to passengers so; it would need to be a very different type of service as it would find it difficult to compete with the shorter sea crossings provided by Stena Line's Rosslare-Fishguard service and Irish Ferries Rosslare-Pembroke Dock service.

I seem to recall from reading the below blog that there was some co-operation between the former Swansea Cork Ferries and Brittany Ferries in the past and this is the only glimmer of hope if any new operator was trying to maximise traffic if a vessel had some spare capacity available.

http://www.irish-ferries-enthusiasts.com/swansea-cork-ferries/