Ferry News Archive
Rosyth bid to land Norwegian ferry link
Date: 05 Dec 2007 00:00 Source: The ScotsmanTransport Minister Stewart Stevenson is being asked to lead a fresh drive to secure a ferry link between the Forth and Norway.
Plans by a Norwegian consortium to establish a UK-Norway ferry service have been delayed following a decision to re-tender the route.
But the postponement means a second chance for Rosyth to promote its claim for the link over those of rivals Newcastle and Hull.
And Labour MSP John Park wants Mr Stevenson to put his weight behind the Rosyth bid, which he says could transform the Fife port into a European transport hub and give a major boost to the east of Scotland economy.
The new service would go from the Norwegian port of Kristiansund to Lerwick in Shetland and on to Roysth, where freight bound for the continent could be transferred to the existing Rosyth- Zeebrugge ferry.
Transport experts believe the new service would attract major freight business, offer a new tourist route between Scotland and Scandinavia and help restore a daily Zeebrugge service.
Norway has been planning a ferry to the UK for more than three years. But a statement last week from Norshukon Link, the consortium of councils and transport firms behind the plan, said the route was being put out to tender again following a decision not to award the service to any of the five potential operators. It said: "The decision to re-advertise was taken as a result of careful consideration of the information submitted by bidders and took into account key factors such as escalating fuel costs and vessel charter rate."
Mr Park, MSP for mid-Scotland and Fife, said an announcement on the successful bid had been expected by the end of November and the announcement would now mean a delay of at least six months.
He said: "I am disappointed we are facing another delay on the decision on the Norway ferry service. Rosyth has the capacity and potential to build on the existing Zeebrugge service to become a continental shipping hub.
"I will be writing to the minister and calling on the Scottish Government to set up a group for interested parties to work together to secure this service for Rosyth.
"This needs a commitment at the most senior level if we are serious about trying to make Rosyth what we want - an international port.
"I believe the Fife yard is best placed to become the UK hub of this new European service and I will be working hard to try and achieve this."
The revised timetable for the bid will see expressions of interest being sought immediately, with a preferred operator being appointed in spring 2008.
The initial bids will be for a freight-only service with the possibility of extending it to include passengers and cars later on.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Mr Stevenson will be happy to meet with Mr Park to discuss this matter."
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