In response to the recent loss of the DFDS Rosyth - Zeebrugge route, P&O have announced plans to increase the capacity of it's freight ferry services between Teesport and Zeebrugge.

Combined with a plan to introduce a new daily rail service between Teesport and the Mossend rail terminal near Glasgow, the aim is to increase capacity on the route by 25%.

P&O Ferries currently operates 12 sailings a week between the two ports with crossing times of around 16 hours. The two Ro-Ro vessels which currently operate on the route will be replaced by larger vessels.

Janette Bell, P&O Ferries chief executive, said:

"The most reliable way for exporters to or from Scotland to transport their goods is via Teesport. The 15-hour sailing is more cost-efficient than more northerly routes, and by integrating our timetable with PD Ports’ new rail service to Scotland, we can guarantee customers an unrivalled service to and from northern Britain."

Owner of Teesport, PD Ports' chief executive Frans Calje said:

"We have a strong and historic partnership with P&O Ferries and we are supporting this expansion by providing additional capacity for the upsized Zeebrugge-Teesport route through even more investment in our rail services to Scotland.

PD Ports has extensive rail capacity with direct intermodal links across the UK and, with a second daily service to Scotland imminent, we will shortly see further opportunities for cargo movements to and from Scotland."

What do you think of this ferry development for haulage and transport in Scotland to Europe? Does it provide a solution to the loss of Rosyth? Let us know