Pandemic restrictions are continuing to hit European ropax owners, with more cuts coming at Norway's Color Line and Fjord Line.
Color Line is reducing capacity between Oslo and Kiel in Germany, resulting in the lay-up of the 2,750-passenger Color Fantasy (built 2004) until the situation eases.
This involves temporary redundancies for 400 workers.
The change applies from 4 November, leaving just the 1,928-passenger Color Magic (built 2007) on the route, Color Line said.
"Unfortunately, the reduction in capacity is once again necessary, and it is crucial that the government and the Storting [parliament] come up with compensation schemes both in the autumn and next year," added chief executive Trond Kleivdal.
The latest news means 1,000 staff members have been sent home this year at Color Line, and a further 300 have resigned, mainly through voluntary schemes.
Fjord Line, meanwhile, is suspending sailings from Bergen to Langesund in Denmark.
The 1,500-passenger Stavangerfjord (built 2013) will be laid up, probably into 2021.
One vessel will run between Kristiansand in Norway and Hirtshals in Denmark, with a focus on cargo.
New boss in place
Passengers are subject to 10-day quarantines on arrival, meaning numbers are very low.
Fjord Line said last week that it was cutting more jobs and changing its chief executive as it tries to cope with a drop in volumes caused by the pandemic.
The board and chief executive Rickard Ternblom agreed he would leave the company immediately, to be replaced by Arne Roland.
A further 140 jobs were also being axed, making a total of 300 redundancies since August.
Fjord Line has already raised NOK 700m ($76m) through state grants and refinancing to ensure it can keep operating this year.
