Ferry switch sees 19 redundancies

The Norman Arrow will relocate from Dover to Portsmouth

A ferry company is set to cut 19 jobs as it restructures its operations between the UK and France.

LD Lines is replacing its high speed ferry, Norman Arrow, on the cross-Channel Dover Boulogne route with the conventional ferry, Norman Spirit.

It said the Norman Arrow had a crew of 60, out of which 28 would move to the Norman Sprit, 13 would stay with Norman Arrow, and 19 would be made redundant.

The firm said it regretted job losses but had to increase freight capacity.

The 19 jobs to be lost were predominantly cabin crew, a spokesman said.

A statement from LD Lines said as many positions as possible had been identified, retained, and offered to members of staff.

It said future employment opportunities would become available during 2010 seasonal operations of both the Norman Spirit and the Norman Arrow, which will run between Portsmouth and Le Havre.

The fleet switch is due to take place next Wednesday.