New freight service on Scotland-Belgium Route

DFDS Seaways has launched its new, enhanced freight service on the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry route. The new schedule, which took effect from 5th January, sees two ships operate on the route providing four departures a week from each port, allowing freight capacity on the service to be significantly improved.

Sailing schedules have also been reconfigured to accommodate the delivery demands of key operators, specifically early Monday morning arrivals in both Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

The new freight service has been introduced after it was announced in August that the Rosyth-Zeebrugge combined freight-passenger route – operated by the Scottish Viking vessel – was to end in mid-December.  Scottish Viking operated as a freight only service until 24th December to allow DFDS Seaways to continue to provide freight services on the route on an interim basis.

Allan Hull, Route Director, said: “The freight service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge has been very popular with the haulage industry, which has recognised the benefits of the route providing the only direct Ro-Ro link between Scotland and the continent.

“While it was a matter of deep regret that the passenger service had to be withdrawn, we saw potential in enhancing the freight service to meet increased demand from the sector.

“Our new schedule will see two Ro-Ro ships operate on the route with the number of sailings increasing from three to four departures a week.  This will increase overall weekly capacity by 25%.

“In addition, we were anxious to seek the views of the sector on how the new schedule should operate.  The result is that we have geared timings to meet the specific delivery schedules of the unaccompanied trailer and container operators who will be key to the success of the route.

“We have sought to not just to expand but to improve the service to meet the demands of the freight trade, not least with the early arrivals and later departures.  The new schedule offers great potential to the freight industry to expand their use of the route, which can only serve to underline the importance of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge link to Scotland.”

The new ships to be deployed on the service are Tor Finlandia and Tor Cimbria.  Both vessels will have capacity for around 130 trailers – Scottish Viking could accommodate 120 trailers.

DFDS Seaways will also move to a dedicated Ro-Ro terminal in Zeebrugge, which has direct rail connections and room for further expansion, from the start of the new freight only service.

DFDS Seaways also operates a daily passenger service from Newcastle to Amsterdam, offering Scottish customers a continued opportunity to travel to Europe by making a short car journey across the border for travel with or without their vehicle.  Regular updates and special fare offers on the Newcastle to Amsterdam route can be found on the DFDS Seaways website.

For further information, visit: www.dfdsseaways.co.uk

Published: 07/01/2011