Ferries to pool tickets? Bleak outlook
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for drivers' jobs
by Karen Miles • International hauliers could soon be using a coordinated ferry service on short Channel routes if the proposed merger between P&O and Stena wins approval.
Early indications from the British and French competition authorities scrutinising the deal is that the merger will be allowed, but probably with stringent conditions.
The newly merged enterprise might be forced to cooperate with other ferry companies on joint ticketing and timetabling, but only on the Dover-Calais, Dover-Zeebrugge and Newhaven-Dieppe routes.
This would allow hauliers on these journeys to board any ferry belonging to the new P&O/Stena company, as well as others including Seafrance, providing they had bought a ticket from one of them.
P&O and Stena could also be forced to co-ordinate their departures with smaller operators. Any conditions would be designed to protect the smaller ferry operators and users.
UK hauliers have been the first to voice their worries over the proposed merger, fearing higher freight rates and fewer routes. However, it seems unlikely that a British decision will emerge before the general election.
Ian Lang, President of the Board of Trade, is not due to receive the the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report until 4 April and he is not expected to announce his decision before 1 May.
Labour says if elected it would want to see the full MMC report.
The French government must make its judgement by 5 May and the European Commission—which has overall power in this case because of the implications for international trade— must decide by 12 June.