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The only stevedore company in St Malo has gone into liquidation, immediately impacting Condor's freight operations and putting a question mark on the potential resumption of passenger sailings later this summer.
After persistent industrial and strike action over several years, causing disruption to Condor and other port users, St Malo Manutention (SMM) is ceasing operations and will be wound up by a French court as the company has been declared insolvent.
Condor’s Executive Director for Operations, Elwyn Dop, said the company's St Malo operations face a period of uncertainty, given that SMM operates all of its freight and foot passenger baggage services at the port.
"The past few years have seen disruption for our freight customers and passengers, often at very short notice, so it is now very disappointing to learn that SMM, the sole stevedore company in St Malo, is to close."
Pictured: SMM operated all of Condor's freight and foot passenger baggage services at St. Malo.
"The situation is regrettable as it currently impacts on our freight sailings through the port and is also beyond our control. There is an awful irony in that having not been able to operate any high speed passenger services for four months due to Covid, we could conceivably see a resumption from Guernsey and Jersey this summer affected by industrial action in St Malo, causing delays and cancellations."
Mr Dop confirmed the company is with liaising other port users, St Malo Port Authority, the Brittany region and the Préfet to find a solution "as a matter of urgency".
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