Ferry freight rides a higher wave
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THE FERRY service between Rosyth in Scotland and Zeebrugge saw a jump in freight volumes in 2004, with more than 40.000 trucks shipped to and from the Continent.
However, Superfast ferries' director Yannis Criticos admits the service is being underused and has the capacity to take 40% more freight.
Total freight carryings increased by 24% from 32,500 units in 2004, with freight revenue up 17.6%.
Criticos describes the daily 17hour service, now in its fourth year of operation, as an answer to the UK's congestion problems, but says it's too early to tell whether the effects of the Working Time Directive are having an effect on volumes.
He adds: "Our target is to fill capacity. We are certainly keen to attract more business and more freight volumes, because we can carry more than we actually do.We are here for the Scottish haulage industry. It will be here if [they] want to use it."
Roger King, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, says: "This has become an established service and one many of our members support very strongly. The Lorry Road User Charge won't operate in the North Sea, but it will down the Al and M6."