DFDS reduces Rosyth-Zeebrugge sailings
SHIPPING: DFDS Seaways is to reduce the number of sailings on its Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry route because of lower than expected demand and increasing fuel costs, Ifw-net reports.
The freight-only service, which is the only ferry link between Scotland and mainland Europe, will from 2 May operate with three departures per week, rather than four.
“It is unfortunate that we are not able to maintain the capacity we had hoped to operate on the route”, says Allan Hull, Route Director, DFDS Seaways.
The change in frequency reflects a lower than expected demand for the service since it was changed from freight and passenger, operated using the Scottish Viking, to freight only at the beginning of this year
“In the current climate of escalating fuel prices, we had no choice but to reduce the frequency of sailings”, Hull says.
But both ships will continue to operate the route, Allan Hull says.
“The position now is broadly the same as that offered during the time the Scottish Viking operated on the route, so there has been no net reduction in capacity to what was previously offered – or indeed in our commitment to the service”, the Route Director adds.
The service departs Rosyth and Zeebrugge on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The ships deployed on the service are the Tor Finlandia and the Tor Cimbria. Both vessels have capacity for around 130 trailers – the Scottish Viking could accommodate 120 trailers.
Source: Ifw-net / maritimedanmark.dk
