DFDS Seaways and Forth Ports announced on 8th July that they will invest over €6 million in the future of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight route. This includes new environmental technology, a fuel optimisation programme and infrastructure adjustments at the terminal in Scotland.

The importance of a continuation of the only ro-ro freight route connecting Scotland to the Continent was highlighted during a meeting between the First Minister of Scotland, CEO of Forth Ports and CEO of DFDS. They discussed route developments and the concrete investment plan for which the basis was laid in November 2014 when the three parties published a joint statement to secure the route’s future.

The 11,530gt/2000 built Finlandia Seaways (above) is to receive exhaust scrubber technology and a fuel optimisation programme. This investment will help to secure the long-term sustainability of the route and the scrubber will be installed during the vessel’s next dry-dock period by the end of this year. In addition, Forth Ports will carry out the necessary infrastructure adjustments to the Port of Rosyth to facilitate the double-stacking of containers on board the vessel. This will increase the freight capacity of the vessel by an extra 300 lane metres.