Scandlines to lay off 400
SHIPPING: Scandlines has announced it is to lay off some 400 employees due to the financial crisis and falling passenger figures that are expected to continue to fall in 2009. It is unclear how many Danish jobs will be affected by the decision.
According to the German union Transnet, Scandlines management has unsuccessfully asked for permission to temporarily lift the job guarantee that was given in connection with the current owners' purchase of the former Danish-German national shipping company in 2007.
Allianz Capital Partners, 3i and Deutsche Seereederei Rostock paid some DKK 11 billion for Scandlines in 2007.
Scandlines runs 19 ferries on nine routes between 14 harbours in the Baltic region.