Scotland's only year round ferry service to Europe will be continued as the Scottish Government and Forth Ports have secured a new operator to run the Rosyth-Zeebrugge service, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.

The First Minister was speaking at the Forth Ports ferry terminal in Rosyth this morning where he announced that Norfolkline, part of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, would operate the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry route following the previous operator's withdrawal.

Norfolkline will resume operation of the route in Spring 2009 to match the sailing schedule previously provided.

The First Minister said: "Securing the continuation of this service is a real success story and hugely important to Scotland's economy. We have worked closely with Forth Ports to ensure Scotland maintains a direct ferry link to Europe and I am delighted to announce today that Norfokline will now operate the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route."

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The First Minister said maintaining connections with major European markets was vital for Scotland at a time of global economic challenges.

"In the six years this route has been operating, it has carried nearly one million passengers, 4.2m tonnes of freight and in 2005 generated around £3.4m of tourism expenditure in Scotland. And of course by removing 1.38m lorry miles from Scotland's roads it is an important contribution to the fight against climate change."

Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive, Forth Ports PLC, said: "The Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry is of vital strategic importance to Scotland and we are delighted that Norfolkline will be providing a world-class freight and passenger service to continental Europe beginning in Spring, 2009.

"There is a significant freight market that can be serviced by the Rosyth ferry and Norfolkline's experience coupled with the vessel's freight capacity will help to fulfill this potential. The new vessel will also offer environmental benefits."

(GK/JM)