8 July 2015

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met Niels Smedegaard, the CEO of DFDS Seaways at Bute House to hear about plans to invest more than €6 million in the Rosyth to Zebrugge freight route.

The route is the only direct link from Scotland to the continent and is vital for Scottish economy and the large number of customers who use it to get their goods in and out of Scotland.

The freight service also offers a number of benefits, which include reduced road mileage, fuel costs savings, convenient arrival and departure times and the ability to carry a wide range of goods.

The plans, which are a partnership between DFDS and Forth Ports, will also see changes to the ferry terminal at Rosyth as well as new environmental technology installed on the vessels that will improve emissions by removing sulphur from their exhaust gases.

The First Minister said:

The Rosyth to Zeebrugge freight route is a vital link for Scotland’s economy and hugely important for the large number of customers who use it to get their goods in and out of the country. It is therefore extremely welcome news that DFDS is to continue to operate this service. The investment in port improvements by Forth Ports is also a vital component of increasing the capacity and efficiency of the service. Along with all parties we are committed to work together to look at new ways of increasing and improving its service for years to come.”

DFDS Route Director Stein van Est said:

We are very pleased with the investment programme as it will secure a long-term perspective for the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route and enable companies to continue to use a direct, environmentally friendly means of transport between Scotland and the Continent.”