News

A Scottish haulier has described the decision to end the daily ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge as a "devastating blow". Duncan Adams, boss of Duncan Adams Haulage, criticised the announcement by operator Superfast last week that it will discontinue the route from 14 September. The service, which has run for the past six years, has saved drivers north of the border from having to drive to Teesside or Hull to cross to the continent.

Adams says: "The Scottish haulage industry is  almost at breaking point with the combination of sharp fuel price rises and a difficult economic climate generally. "With the very strong euro, as well as the fuel situation, this is yet another huge blow. Adams says the one positive is that companies have been given three months' notice to prepare and that his firm has already secured a certain amount of slots at Teesside, "albeit at an increased price".

"The trip to Teesside will also result in us travelling thousands more miles during the year, so overall it will have quite a serious effect in terms of extra costs." Adams adds that the extra travel and fuel costs will "have to be passed onto the customer". Phil Flanders, RHA director for Scotland, says he is "bitterly disappointed" at the news.

He adds: "It is inevitable that the Superfast closure will mark the end of the road for many of our vital, smaller operators and we will be seeking assurance that the government and the port operators will bring in a replacement  service as soon as possible." Superfast has not revealed the reasons behind the withdrawal, but says it has had discussions with the Scottish government and Forth ports over the future of the line. A spokesman for the company says: "We shall provide all information and assistance required to anyone who may wish to take over the route."

Meanwhile, DFDS Seaways has announced it will cease operating its service between Newcastle and Bergen-Haugesund-Stavanger in Norway from 1 September. The service had been loss-making for some time and coupled with the current economic climate, DFDS has decided to close the route.