Date: 07th November 2011

 SEStran, in partnership with West Flanders development agency POM, is holding a Business to Business event, to encourage stakeholders on both sides of the North Sea to use the Rosyth – Zeebrugge freight ferry service.

SEStran believes that the service is an effective and sustainable transportation link, which makes a significant contribution to the economies of both Scotland and West Flanders and reduces road freight miles and carbon emissions. 

SEStran Chair Russell Imrie said:

“SEStran aims to encourage the use of rail and water transport wherever possible, getting freight off the roads, reducing traffic congestion and carbon output, while ensuring that goods are delivered in an effective and timely manner”. 

“Sea transportation will play a key role in this strategy, and South East Scotland is fortunate to possess Scotland’s only existing direct ro-ro freight ferry link to Europe, between Rosyth and Zeebrugge. It is vital that this unique resource is exploited to the full”. 

“SEStran is currently involved in a range of EU Funded projects that seek to reduce the amount of freight on the nation’s roads by transferring it to rail and sea. The Rosyth to Zeebrugge service is a vital component in these strategies”.

“For example; the Foodport Project, which seeks to boost Scottish exports through sea transportation, aims to develop the North Sea Region as the best food trading region in Europe, delivering products via efficient and sustainable transport systems through green transport corridors. We are currently working with partners from six North Sea countries to find practical solutions to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the food supply chains”.

“Seaborne freight services like that between Rosyth and Zebrugge lie at the heart of these and many other European projects, which aim to boost Scotland’s economy and find better, cheaper, easier ways to get our goods to markets”.

Mrs. Marleen  Titeca-Decraene, Chair of West Flanders’ Development Agency ‘POM’ added :

“West Flanders and Scotland share the same strategy to encourage sustainable transport and to further develop their regions as food hubs or food port regions. Both regions have the same interest in ensuring that the highest possible standards are achieved in conveying food products to different destinations, and reach markets quickly, efficiently and above all fresh and market-ready”. 

“The freight ferry service between Zeebrugge and Rosyth is an ideal way to ensure sustainable and environmental friendly transport of our food products, allowing us to export real "green" food products.“

For further information, contact:

Andrew Dougal,

SEStran Communications Officer

T: 0131-524-5161

M: 07889-010-291

E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk

ENDS

SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, Clackmannanshire East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Fife.

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