THE future of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight ferry is in serious doubt with the operator saying the route would be no longer viable with the introduction of new EU legislation on air pollution.

The rules being introduced on 1st January have already resulted in the end for one DFDS Seaways route and fears are growing they could now pull the plug on the Rosyth Euro-ferry.

The EU directive on maritime transport emissions is aimed at tackling the use of cheap fuel with high sulphur content to improve air quality.

The outcome of the environmentally-friendly policy could backfire if hauliers currently going by sea are forced back on to the roads.

Forth Ports chief executive Charles Hammond has warned that “the disproportionate costs increase for the Scottish ferry service will not be acceptable to the current users of the service and that alternative freight routes will be used, utilising southern UK port and transferring the traffic to road”.

DFDS Seaways Rosyth-Zeebrugge route is Scotland’s only continental roll-on roll-off ferry link with three sailings per week in each direction.

A spokesman for DFDS Seaways said, “It’s true that the DFDS ferry route between Rosyth and Zeebrugge is faced with significant challenges and we are working on potential solutions to enable us to continue to offer a service to Scottish industry.

“The main challenge facing this route is the cost of operating the service and there is no doubt that the upcoming sulphur legislation will lead to an increase in those costs of around 20 per cent, if we were to continue running the service as we do currently.

“This would unfortunately mean that the route would no longer be commercially viable and we are therefore looking for ways to reduce the impact of the sulphur rules on the route. “Our Scottish customers and the Scottish Government have been very supportive, however, we are still looking at a number of potential solutions and we hope to be able to be more specific about the future of this service soon.” Mr Hammond has written to First Minister Alex Salmond seeking a meeting to highlight the threat to Scotland’s only direct sea link.

His letter began, “I am writing to you on an urgent matter which will have a significant negative economic impact for Scotland. As you were instrumental in securing the ongoing operation of the freight ferry into the Port of Rosyth many years ago, I know you will be concerned that there is now a real and immediate risk of losing this service when new European legislation comes into force next year.” He went on, “Addressing the implications of this legislation will have significant cost implications for shipping operators and ultimately their customers who use these services, as the ship operators will introduce surcharges to recover these additional costs.

“Furthermore, due to Scotland’s more northerly location within Europe and the UK, it will have a disproportionate effect on services using Scottish east-coast ports versus other ports in the UK as the cost, which is based on fuel consumption. By way of an example we expect the cost unit to be €100 in Rosyth but only €40-50 in Teesport.

“This has the potential to severely impact on the financial viability of existing freight ferry service into and out of Rosyth.

“Indications are that the disproportionate costs increase for the Scottish ferry service will not be acceptable to the current users of the service and that alternative freight routes will be used, utilising southern UK port and transferring the traffic to road.

“The ferry operator – DFDS – runs the commercial freight business to Rosyth from Zeebrugge three times each week. They have indicated to us this week that the extra cost this represents is unlikely to be borne by their customers and therefore the route will become unviable.

“This is Scotland’s only direct ferry freight route into continental Europe and is an important economic generator for Scotland, servicing the chemicals, food and drinks industry and general exports/imports as well as the import of new vehicles for the Scottish market.

“As of 1st January, European Ferry operators and freight forwarders will look to save costs by using alternative ports in England, which will increase road haulage into Scotland.

“We believe that this new directive represents a disproportionate, unfair disadvantage for the Port of Rosyth specifically and Scotland as a whole and I seek your urgent support in this matter, with the aim of, as a minimum, equalising the additional charges between the Port of Rosyth and other north of England ports.”