Plans for ferry between Scotland and Netherlands ‘quite far along’
Plans for a ferry to the Netherlands from the Firth of Forth are “quite far along”, according to the head of the company proposing the service.
David Kellas, director of TEC Offshore, which hopes to set up a passenger and freight service between Rosyth and Eemshaven, near Groningen, said he believes the demand for the service does exist, despite previous failures.
It comes a year after the DFDS-RUN freight route from Scotland to Zeebrugge was terminated.
Mr Kellas said there were still “major pieces of the jigsaw” to find before the service is launched.
It is understood TEC Offshore is in discussions with the Scottish Government over helping to secure a loan of £35 million to £40 million for the ferries that would be used on the route, with the scheme described by one well-placed source as not “feeling too realistic”.
This is necessary because TEC Offshore has no assets with which to secure the loan itself.
Mr Kellas said contracts had been signed for the ships but did not say which company would supply them.
He would also not be drawn on the nature of the discussions with the Scottish Government.
Mr Kellas said: “The route we are looking at is over to Rosyth from Eemshaven and it is approximately the same distance as the route to Zeebrugge.
“Exact funding is not from the Scottish Government.
“It would be nice if they give us a wedge of cash but that is not the direction per se.
“If you didn’t have the funding, you couldn’t do the project.”
The service would include one ship sailing in either direction each day, with the sailing time likely to be 20-22 hours, depending on the weather.
Mr Kellas said the business plan for the route included a pricing structure, but said it would be “extremely competitive”.
In response to questions about passenger demand, Mr Kellas said that would need to be built up again, although all the signs were positive.
He said: “I would suggest that the passenger demand will need to be built up again.
“But I can tell you right now that, from all the messages that we have received even just today from private individuals in Holland – which are significant in number – they have indicated that this is an absolute dream.
“From what we see, the demand will be there and we have to have consistency in our service still and that makes a difference with the public and freight services.”
Work is still required at both Rosyth and Eemshaven, 130 miles north-east of Amsterdam, before passenger ferries can operate, he admitted.
“Exact funding is not from the Scottish Government. It would be nice if they give us a wedge of cash but that is not the direction per se.”
DAVID KELLAS