Rosyth’s ferry service has been saved by plans to build a vessel that will escape the tax that was set to hammer the service, Scotland’s First Minister has revealed.
A new EU directive on sulphur levels had threatened the service and with it 20 jobs and the vital role it plays in Scotland’s economy until a joint initiative by operators DFDS Seaways, Forth Ports and the Scottish Government was agreed.
Alex Salmond admitted to The Courier the ferry to Zeebrugge “was in severe jeopardy” because of the tax’s impact on the Fife service.
He said: “We have to move this route out of the clutches of the sulphur directive because otherwise it is uncompetitive.
“Therefore, we need a new ferry or a rehabilitated ferry or there is no future for this route.
“It is crucially important to Scotland’s economy. This is Scotland’s umbilical ferry route with the continent and we do not regard its closure as an option.
“We want to maintain and develop the route. We have gone from a situation over the last few weeks of facing closure to one where we have substantial hope and prospect for the future.
“It needs the support of customers. DFDS has done a substantial job turning this ferry from a loss-making operation to a break-even operation, which is very good and it is being supported by the customers.
“By working together, DFDS, Forth Ports and the Government have come up with not just a short-term fix but a potentially long-term solution.”
Citing an impact of “millions of euros” on to the operators, Mr Salmond said a replacement vessel would be built to comply with the new regulations in addition to Scottish Government support over the next two years.
A memorandum of understanding has now been signed to safeguard the transport service between Scotland and Belgium.
DFDS chief executive Niels Smedegaard said: “We have always been very committed to this route and we are satisfied we were able to find a solution to maintain the service.”