Fife Ferry Service

The future of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service looks secure.

DFDS Seaways, the Scottish Government Forth Ports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which they agreed to continue the freight shipping service.

First Minister Alex Salmond has welcomed the announcement: "The Scottish Government has always maintained that the Rosyth to Zeebrugge Service is a vital link for our economy and the large number of customers who use it to get their goods in and out of Scotland.

"I was delighted to be able to work with Forth Ports and DFDS and sign this important Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the key efforts that each party is undertaking to ensure that the service will continue to operate following the introduction of the new Sulphur Regulations on the 1st of January.

"All parties to the MOU fully recognise the challenges that lie ahead and the additional pressures that new regulations bring for Scotland's only continental ferry service. However, this MOU commits us to continue to work together to secure the service and look at new ways of increasing and improving its capacity as volumes continue to grow in the longer term."