Be prepared for Channel delays
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by Miles Brignall • Hauliers who regularly cross the Channel can look forward to a summer of long delays, according to the company at the centre of last week's union blockade of French ports.
The warning by Meridian Ferries follows the widespread disruption of services at Channel ports last Thursday and Friday (2324 February). French seamens' unions mounted a 48-hour blockade of Calais, Boulogne, Le Havre and Dunkirk to protest at the use of Polish crews by the ferry operator. Many hauliers were forced to re route via Zeebrugge or take to the Channel Tunnel as the ports ground to a halt. EurotunnePs Le Shuttle reported its busiest day ever, handling a record 1,300 trucks.
But as ser vices returned to nor mal this week, a spokesman for Meridian warned hauliers to expect delays over the summer.
Kevin Root, Meridian's operations manager, says that competition from the Chunnel is forcing the ferry companies to attempt to lowering wage costs by hiring in non-ELJ crews.
It is understood that Sealink wants to end an agreement with the French union SNAT.
If this happens, Root believes that industrial action and delays are inevitable.