Scottish company plans to launch ferry service to Dutch Eemshaven

The Scottish firm TEC-Farragon intends to launch a ferry service between Rosyth, close to Edinburgh, and Eemshaven in the north of the Netherlands. This route will create a direct connection between Scotland and mainland Europe, thus improving Scotland’s position with a view to the looming Brexit, according to Dutch broadcaster RTV Noord.

The long-term aim is a daily ferry service between the two countries. The ferries are expected to dock in Eemshaven at Sealane Terminals; that company has recently invested €6.5 million to build a new refrigerated warehouse, plus the quayside has been extended by 100 metres. It is possible that Stena Line is also involved in the plans.

Eemshaven particularly caught TEC-Farragon’s eye because of its good strategic location with respect to key export markets for the Scottish whiskey and wood industries, which include countries such as Germany, Denmark and Italy. TEC-Farragon is also thought to be impressed by the regional infrastructure.

Direct link to Eemshaven

The ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge, Belgium, ceased in 2010, and the Scots have been looking for an alternative connection to Europe ever since. The Port of Dover is currently used to ship goods into Europe through Calais. Due to the impending Brexit, however, Scotland prefers a direct link to the mainland.

The UK government has warned that a no-deal Brexit could cause months of chaos at Dover, in which case the ferry crossing from Rosyth to Eemshaven – which would take around 20 hours – could provide welcome relief. The ferries are mainly intended as a freight service, but can also carry a large number of passengers and cars.

The first sailing is scheduled for late October.

Source: RTV Noord