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Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry has new operator

Ferry Online Travel News 22/09/2008

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Superfast sailed its final service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge on 13 September.

A new operator has stepped in to operate the Rosyth, Scotland to Zeebrugge, Belgium route, Scotland’s only year-round ferry link with the European continent. Unfortunately, for those dependent on the service, it will not start up again until the spring of 2009.

Superfast announced in May that it would discontinue service on the route on 13 September, and a search for a replacement operator began at that time.

Last Thursday, First Minister Alex Salmond revealed that the Scottish government in co-operation with Forth Ports had come to an agreement with the Dutch operator Norfolkline, to run ferry services on the route. He said that the service connecting Scotland with the continent has been “a real success story and hugely important to Scotland’s economy.”

Labour’s economy and skills spokesman, John Park, insisted that quicker government action might have meant no gap in service.

The Dutch-based ferry operator, Norfolkline, has committed to following the sailing schedule in place when Superfast operated the route. In addition, Norfolkline will add a new vessel. Sailings from both ports will occur three times each week.

Forth Ports’ chief executive, Charles Hammond, said: “The Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry is of vital strategic importance to Scotland, and we are delighted that Norfolkline will be providing a world-class freight and passenger service to continental Europe. There is a significant freight market that can be serviced by the Rosyth ferry, and Norfolkline's experience, coupled with the vessel's freight capacity, will help to fulfil this potential.”

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