TALLINN - The Swedish seamen's trade union, Seko, has denied a report by Tallink CEO Enn Pant claiming that an agreement was reached over a bout that occurred between Silja Line personnel and Tallink executives in late October, Finland's Helsingin Sanomat said in its online edition on Nov. 25.
On Oct. 25, Tallink's management held a party on board the Silja Symphony while crossing from Helsinki to Stockholm. After being told that the ship's bar would soon close, the Tallink board members became aggressive, insulting and attacking the ship's crew. The Swedish press named Enn Pant, Andres Hunt and Keijo Mehtonon as participants in the incident.
"Nothing's clear yet," Janne Ruden, chairman of the union representing Swedish crew members of the ferry Silja Symphony, was quoted as saying on Nov. 24.
The union said that the investigation was still under way, and that members were still preparing a police statement about the offense, the Finnish newspaper reported.
Pant, CEO of the Estonian shipping group which acquired the Finnish shipper Silja Line this summer, said that the incident between ship personnel and Tallink executives was settled on Nov. 23.
In his remarks to ETV television, Pant didn't deny that top executives of Tallink had been drunk on board the Silja Symphony but he declined further comment. He was critical of the media for using an anonymous account when covering the events.
Pant said the management had talked with the Swedish seamen's union and had settled the issue. He added that, despite heavy media coverage, the incident has not had any impact on Tallink ticket sales.
