Estonia, Latvia, Transport

CEO of Saaremaa Laevakompanii Tõnis Rihvk stated that the decision to skip the 2009 season was made due to the factors caused by the general cooling economic climate.

In case of sufficient demand, the enterprise is prepared to continue operating the route in future seasons.

"It is clear that the current economic climate does not make it possible for people to execute their travel plans in the same volume as during previous years and the ship route expenses have grown as well," said Rihvk.

The Saaremaa-Ventspils ship route is operated by SSC Ferries that launched the route in 2005. From eight to ten weekly trips took place each season. In four years, the route has serviced more than 60,000 passengers from nearly 30 countries. In 2008, 11,892 passengers and 3,090 vehicles were transported during the season that lasted for three months.