The case for a Cockenzie ferry

WHILE I agree with William Mclauchlan (Letters, January 20) regarding the need for a direct sea link with Europe from Scotland, I respectfully disagree that Rosyth is the best port for this to be achieved.

I refer to the Review of the Cockenzie “Masterplan” in regard to the cruise port question prepared for Prestonpans Community Council by Dr Alf Baird (formerly Professor of Maritime Business at Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University) published on November 27, 2017.

Dr Baird sets out the advantages that the development of the Cockenzie site would provide compared to Rosyth. The Superfast service between Rosythzeebrugge was in fact profitable. The service ended due to several factors, including high port charges and insufficient land area for vehicles at the Rosyth terminal. When a good offer was received for one of the ships, Superfast sold it off, and the second ship was moved to Baltic routes. The Superfast service did nevertheless prove that sufficient demand exists to sustain a direct Scotland-continent ferry connection which can easily attract 250,000 passengers, 50,000 cars and 50,000 freight units a year, even more if greater ship capacity (cabins, car deck space etc) is provided.

It can be argued on this basis that a superior, lower-cost, and better positioned cruise-ferry terminal on the Forth at Cockenzie could attract a new, daily cruise-ferry connection to the continent.

Malcolm Boyd, Milngavie.