Monday, 15th September 2008
Rosyth ferry ends its Superfast service to Zeebrugge
Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir
It is a great shame that Scotland no longer has a direct ferry link to Europe. With the ending of the Superfast service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge last Saturday, our only direct sea link between the Scottish mainland and Continental Europe has been severed, despite the fact that it carried almost one million passengers and over 190,000 trucks and freight units in the six years it was operating. The Greek-owned firm Superfast claimed it was not a profitable route.
Attempts to persuade the EU to subsidise a new freight service linking Norway, Rosyth and Zeebrugge have now also been turned down, leaving prospects for the West Fife port looking bleak. More than £20 million was spent at Rosyth constructing a state-of-the-art terminal, including £12 million of public funding. It will be a sad waste if a new operator cannot be found to make use of this first class facility. If Scotland is to maintain its high standing as a key tourist destination and a major exporter, then a direct sea-link to Europe is essential.
