Norfolkline sailing towards success
February 3rd 2009
In the first month since ticket sales were launched, the revived Rosyth – Zeebrugge ferry route is proving to be as popular as ever.
Passenger tickets for the route, which launches in May 2009, went on sale on 18 December. The new operator Norfolkline has experienced encouraging early sales interest with bookings in place as far ahead as the end of October 2009.
The service will operate three overnight sailings a week each way, and to ensure the route is viable, the price structure is based on two separate schemes for travellers with vehicles and foot passengers.
The first is an inclusive cabin and vehicle package for up to four people and the second, for independent foot passengers, is based on either a reclining Pullman seat or a cabin for up to four people.
Both schemes can be booked directly with Norfolkline and package tours, organised by tour operators and agencies, are also available.
Interest from potential freight customers is also high and commercial rates are in the process of being finalised, with freight bookings due to open in coming weeks.
In total Norfolkline will create around 60 new jobs to service the route. These will be a mixture of on-board personnel, terminal service staff and a new local business management team based in Rosyth and Zeebrugge.
Bas van Helden, Route Director of Scotland – Belgium Service of Norfolkline, Ferry Division, commented:
“We are extremely encouraged by this overwhelming response to this new service; since releasing our passenger tickets we have been receiving over 100 enquiries a day. This is a great indication of things to come and we are confident this level of support will continue as our new service gets underway.”
Norfolkline announced its plans to reinstate the Rosyth – Zeebrugge route in September 2008. The leading European ferry operator has been working with clients, local industry and governments to provide a new, improved and sustainable service for this key link between Scotland and the Continent.
The first Norfolkline sailing from Rosyth is planned for May 2009. Bookings can be made direct with Norfolkline online at www.norfolkline.com or via its tour operators and sales agents. Tickets for independent foot passengers, which are to be booked directly with Norfolkline, will be available from March.