Scotland-Belgium Passenger Service to be Cut

Scotland-Belgium Passenger Service to be Cut

DFDS Seaways is replacing its single passenger and freight ferry between Scotland and Belgium with two freight only ro-ro ships from December. The Copenhagen-based operator blamed poor passenger numbers for the change on the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route, which DFDS inherited from Norfolkline, the former AP Moller-Maersk ferry subsidiary it acquired last month. It is understood that the two replacement ro-ro vessels — upping the frequency from three to four times a week — will come from within DFDS Seaways’ existing fleet, each with around 2,000 lane metres. They have not been named. In a statement, DFDS Seaways said: “The route’s current ro-pax product concept has proven not to be financially viable due to insufficient passenger demand, while demand from freight customers has met expectations.”

The Rosyth-Zeebrugge route has a chequered history, which saw Greek ferry operator Attica shut down the service in 2008, prompting the Scottish government to seek a replacement operator for what it sees as a commercially viable” and “vital” link for the economy. Norfolkline stepped in to relaunch the service in May last year, saying that it would focus more on passengers than freight.