SNCM’s successor already has a competitor consisting of two unsuccessful candidates for the resumption of SNCM. They have created a ferry company to connect Marseille, Corsica and Tunisia.

The 21,171gt/2004 built Stena Carrier has been chartered and she started the service on 4th January between Marseille and Bastia. A second route to Ajaccio is planned during 2016. The new company, Corsica Linea, is a joint operation of Baja Ferries and Corsica Marittima.

The Stena Carrier is to be replaced by the 19,963gt/1988 built Antares and 10,488gt/1999 built Caroline Russ. The duo will be renamed Corsica Linea Uno and Corsica Linea Dui for service from February. Alas striking SNCM workers in Marseilles prevented the Stena Carrier from berthing on her first trip and vowed to block her completely.

The Stena Carrier was finally allowed to berth in Marseilles on 12th January. The CGT had called Marseille marine crews of SNCM to stop working from 5th January, in response to the new Marseille-Corsica service by Corsica Marittima and the non-signing of the agreement reached between CMN and SNCM’s new owner, the Rocca Group, on 2nd December. The industrial action also spread to La Méridionale services so the militants have yet to learn. They destroyed SNCM, are trying to ruin Corsica Marittima and are also threatening the start-up of SNCM’s replacement operation.