Zeebrugge freight route from Rosyth is no more.

Blow for firms after hope lost of turnaround for sinking service

A fire has seen Fife’s freight ferry service go up in flames.

News that DFDS has pulled the plug on the route has been greeted with dismay and disappointment.

Martin Reid, from the Road Hauliers Association, said members relied heavily on the service. He added: “For them it is going to be incredibly difficult. There is uncertainty surrounding Brexit and ro-ro ferry ports and this will do nothing to help alleviate that at all.”

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf is to seek urgent talks with the company to explore options for the axed route.

It was a fire in the engine room of one of two ships ploughing the RosythZeebrugge route which put the final nail in the coffin of the loss-making service.

The company estimated the ship would be out of service for several months, and the search for a replacement was “fruitless”

Senior vice-president for the route, Kell Robdrup, said: “Unfortunately, this will bring about further losses on the route, and it means that we have lost all hope of being able to turn around the route’s loss-making situation. Therefore, we have no alternative but to close the route as we undoubtedly will lose clients who will be forced to seek alternative solutions for their transport.

“In co-operation with the Scottish Government and the port, we have tried everything in our power to save the route.”

This included axing the combined passenger and freight service in favour of freight only, cutting costs by double stacking containers and installing equipment to reduce fuel bills.

But with the latest situation, are opening would be “unrealistic”, he added.

It is not known how many jobs will go as port handling is performed by external firms. Only a limited number of DFDS staff will be hit.

Fife economy convener Labour councillor Altany Craik said the news was a real blow for the manufacturing sector who used this “key export route”.

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Labour MP Lesley Laird called on the Scottish Government to identify a new operator and look at making it more financially viable by creating a passenger/freight service.

Dunfermline and West Fife SNP MP Douglas Chapman said it was exceptionally bad news for export firms but he thought it could create an opportunity for a more passenger-focused service.

A disappointed Charles Hammond, group chief executive of Forth Ports, which operates the Port of Rosyth, said the aim was to ensure as many customers affected would be accommodated at Grangemouth.

Kris Miller. Picture: DFDS has pulled its loss-making European freight ferry service from Rosyth.