The industrial action was deemed “unacceptable” by Condor and led to talks between the ferry company, other port users, the St Malo Port Authority, the Brittany region and the Préfet to find a solution “as a matter of urgency”.
Pictured: Stevedores are responsible for loading and unloading freight from ships.
The new provider, Solent Stevedores, already provides Roll on, Roll off and Load on, Load off services for Jersey Ports.
Its St Malo team will include 25 of the 32 dockworkers who lost their jobs when SMM folded, following talks with trade unions and high-profile public protests in France.
The formation of a new company ends months of “frustration and inconvenience” which has impacted on Condor’s ability to complete its freight trips through the port and resume its high-speed passenger sailings following lockdown.
“We are pleased that a new stevedores’ service provider has been established in St Malo,” said Condor.
Pictured: The Goodwill on a weekly freight run to Guernsey.
“The new team started on Monday 21 September, so we are happy that our weekly freight service from the UK and islands to St Malo could resume last Saturday and passenger sailings continue.”
Pictured top: Condor has a new stevedore company in St Malo.