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SNP GROUP WELCOME AWARDING OF CONTRACT FOR SCOTLAND TO NORWAY FERRY LINK New Euroferry will boost Falkirk District’s economy  Falkirk Council SNP Group have welcomed the announcement by a consortium of businesses and local authorities from Norway (Moregruppen) and SESTRAN that the Norshukon consortium has awarded the contract to run an international freight service between Norway, Scotland and Belgium to Shetland transport operator John White. The plan is for two ships, the first carrying up to 150 trailers operating a triangular service weekly between Kristiansund, Zeebrugge and Rosyth, with possibly a second smaller vessel running weekly between Kristiansund and Lerwick. It is hoped the main service might start in November, but this is subject to European funding being obtained under the Marco Polo programme. NORSHUKON (an acronym for the areas involved in the project) wants to provide a “motorway of the sea” link between Norway and the UK mainland. This will provide an attractive sea route alternative for Norwegian freight movements to Norway’s main markets in mainland Europe of Belgium, Holland, France and Germany, replacing a long road based journey involving other ferry crossings. This has major benefits in relation to new Europe-wide restrictions on drive time and accessing markets at the right time of day. The ferry route could also provide a faster route for seafood from Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Norway to access the UK market. In addition, the connections between Central Scotland and Shetland/Norway have the potential of removing considerable lorry mileage from Scotland’s roads and increase trade between these areas. Mid-Norway allows access to the Swedish and Finnish markets, plus the counties of North Norway. Falkirk Council SNP Group’s Economic Development Spokesperson, Councillor Angus MacDonald stated: “I am pleased to note that an operator has been chosen for the new ferry route. While it is disappointing to note that the service will be a freight only service, and not as had been originally envisaged a joint tourist/freight service, the new Scotland to Norway route is good news for businesses in Falkirk district and very welcome news indeed. "This will allow local firms to access a largely untapped market in Scandinavia and will enhance economic development in Scotland and Norway. A number of manufacturers in Falkirk district will benefit from the new service, as will a number of local importers who source all their products from the Nordic region, such as Janex who are based in Grangemouth. "Local firms will soon be able to penetrate Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish markets without facing excessive transport costs or logistical problems. Councillor MacDonald continued;“A delegation of Councillors and senior officials from Soer Trondelag Regional Council in mid-Norway who visited Falkirk district in 2006 highlighted the need for improved transport links between Norway and Scotland. Since their visit we have seen the introduction of new air routes from Edinburgh to Bergen and Oslo and now the plans for the direct ferry service are coming to fruition. "This new service will bring considerable economic and environmental benefits to all the regions involved and I look forward to progress being made quickly in bringing the service into operation. Operators plan to have the service in place and operational by the end of this year." |
The failure of the Labour / Tory Administration to apply for grants to promote tourism locally has been described as “criminal negligence” by SNP Economic Development spokesperson, Cllr Angus MacDonald.
