Sole passenger ferry link to Europe cut as route switches to freight only

SCOTLAND'S sole international passenger ferry link has been axed, dealing a major blow to tourism just over a year after First Minister Alex Salmond described it as of "absolutely fundamental importance".

DFDS Seaways announced yesterday the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route would be switched to freight-only from around 15 December, despite being relaunched as recently as May last year.

Original operator Superfast abandoned the route in 2008 after six years and DFDS said the service had lost 6 million in its first eight months alone.

Ferry experts said the 491-passenger Scottish Viking ferry had been too small for the long route, making it uneconomical.

They said this year's takeover of route operator Norfolkline by DFDS sealed the link's fate because DFDS already runs a rival Newcastle-Amsterdam service.

However, hauliers welcomed DFDS's new freight focus on the Fife-Belgium route, which will be operated by two freight ferries, sailing four times a week rather than the current three.

DFDS said passenger numbers had been only 60 per cent of expectations despite "good" summer bookings, which had caused "significant losses".

A spokesman said: "As the current combined (passenger/freight] concept has been a constant loss-maker, and with no prospect of the position changing in the longer term, it has been left with no option but to withdraw the passenger service from mid-December 2010."

DFDS group vice-president Andreas Teschl said: "We are aware the ferry service has provided an important link between Scotland and the continent, so it is a matter of deep regret we have had to take the decision.

"However, we do believe the route has a future as a freight-only service and we not only want to keep the route alive but we want to enhance the service we offer to the freight industry."

DFDS said about five jobs would be lost.

Professor Alf Baird, of Edinburgh Napier University, said: "This is very much related to the acquisition of Norfolkline.

"DFDS clearly see great scope to expand the direct Scottish route for freight. But to do so they need to operate larger roll-off freight ships to achieve comparable economies of scale with competing services from Tees and Humber.

"This new service should also help the whisky industry in its efforts to reduce empty container positioning costs.

"Ideally, to operate passenger ferry services on this long route you need volume. DFDS offers just that on its daily Newcastle-Amsterdam service, so there is really little point in DFDS competing against its own service."

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson welcomed the freight enhancement but said ending passenger traffic was "extremely disappointing".

VisitScotland was equally dismayed. Head of international marketing Denise Hill said: "This is very disappointing news for Scottish tourism and for travellers from our key European markets."

Labour said the move was a "major setback" and called for a route-development body to prevent future failures.

The Tories described it as a "blow to Rosyth and to the Scottish tourism industry", while the Lib Dems said it was a "big loss to the Scottish economy".

Rosyth SNP councillor Douglas Chapman said: "I had grave suspicions when DFDS took over as they had always fought against any service from Rosyth as it undermined their operations from Newcastle and Hull. I am very angry that these suspicions have come to fruition so soon."

But Road Haulage Association Scotland director Phil Flanders was "delighted" at the freight boost for the "vital gateway".