Finnish flag cruise ferries have been stopped in ports in the country as seafarers on them have gone to strike in support of postal workers in their labour market conflict.

The strike has halted e.g. two ships of Silja Line that is part of Tallink Grupp, the Estonian cruise ferry company, five of the seven ships of Viking Line that has its headquarters in Mariehamn, Eckero Line’s Finlandia and Wasa Express of Wasaline.

Leisure travel is an important part of the business of all companies concermed, although their vessels also carry cars and roro freight.

The seafarers’ union has no labour market conflict of its own and the strike that start this morning was declared only to support postal workers in their conflict with their government owned employer.