19 September, 2008

WEST Burrafirth businessman John White yesterday (Thursday) welcomed news that the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry contract had been awarded to Dutch-based operators Norfolkline.

Mr White had been in the running to take over the route after Superfast announced they were pulling out because the service did not make enough money.

However his plans were scuppered when the European Union declined his application for grant funding under the Marco Polo “Motorway of the Seas” scheme to run a ferry service between Norway’s Kristiansund, Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Ironically it was because Mr White had expressed his interest in the Superfast route that the EU refused his initial application and told him to resubmit a bid in January.

Yesterday Mr White said he was glad the Superfast would be continued, adding that he had introduced Norfolkline to the Scottish Government and Forth Ports to secure the deal.

The Dutch firm have pledged to co-operate with his Norshukon plans, which he now hopes to have on the go by October next year.

“The pity is that we would have been up and running next month if we had the (European) money,” he said. “From Rosyth’s point of view this is a good thing to have a firm as good as Norfolkline going in. It could have been a second rate operator.”

Mr White also pointed out that Norfolkline used to be known as Norse Merchant, set up by Mike Hendry, whose mother came from Burravoe, in Yell.

Norfolkline are scheduled to resume the Rosyth – Zeebrugge route next spring to match the previous sailing schedule.

First minister Alex Salmond described it as “a real success story and hugely important for Scotland’s economy”.

Kell Robdrup, of Norfolkline, said: "Norfolkline will run a passenger and freight service with three departures from each port every week. With the introduction of a brand new ferry, we hope to provide a comfortable and environmentally friendly crossing to our customers.”