20 Dec 2001
The European Commission decision to give the go ahead for payment of £11m of government funding towards a ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge is great news for Scotland Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell said today.
The Commission announced today that it has given the go ahead for the extension of a Freight Facilities Grant for the service which is scheduled to start operations in summer 2002.
It is envisaged that there will be a daily service in each direction, with a sailing time of between sixteen and eighteen hours.
Helen Liddell said:
"Today’s announcement by the European Commission to allow state aid clearance for the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry is tremendous news for Scotland.
"The new service will be of huge benefit to Scottish exporters giving them a fast, direct and regular ferry link to the heart of mainland Europe.
"Partnership working between the Scotland Office, the Scottish Executive and the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, along with excellent work done by the local MPs and MSPs as well as Scotland’s MEPs, have all been essential in bringing this service to Scotland.
"I look forward to the ferry’s first sailing next year, and welcome the major economic benefits, and convenience, for Scottish exporters and passengers that this direct service from Scotland to mainland Europe brings. There will be environmental benefits too as a result of the reduction in the number of long distance car and lorry journeys required to access a port"
"The funding will help meet the capital costs connected with the construction of a new Ro-Ro terminal and of converting two passenger ferries to carry freight. It will be made available to Forth Ports Plc, who own Rosyth port, and the Greek owned ferry operators Superfast Ferries SA.
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
1. Today’s announcement follows the announcement on 6 November 2002 for £12million to support a ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.
2. The £12million would be made available by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions as a Freight Facilities Grant (FFG).
3. FFGs are available under the Transport Act 2000 to assist
companies with the capital costs of providing facilities to handle
freight by water rather than by road. Grants are made in recognition of the environmental and other benefits which water transportation can bring.