Forth Ports is racing against the clock to ensure Scotland does not lose its only direct ferry service to continental Europe.

The port operator wants to ensure a “seamless” transfer of ferry operator on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route when Athens-based operator Attica pulls its vessels off the route on September 13. It is in talks with Shetland-based businessman John White of the ShetlandNorwegian Norshukon consortium. He has expressed an interest in taking on the route, which opened in 2002.

However, White seems increasingly unlikely to be ready to step into the breach when Attica takes its Blue Star vessels off the route in two months time.

Stewart Stevenson, the Scottish transport secretary, who is supporting the Forth Ports-led initiative, recently told parliament: “Are companies interested in the route? On the public record, I can say that John White of the Norshukon group has indicated an interest, and we are continuing discussions with it.

“We have approached everybody we can think of in this country and elsewhere. There are still options that may deliver a successful outcome.

“It will be extremely challenging to ensure there is no break in service — I want to manage expectations on that — but in the long term there will be opportunities.”

In a tough economic climate, Stevenson, who is MSP for Banff & Buchan, acknowledged that it is a tough call to get companies to commit to new transport services.

White was initially looking to establish a freight-only service between Norway, Belgium and Scotland from November. This would connect Kristiansund, on Norway’s west coast, with Zeebrugge and Rosyth in a circular route.

However, the plans depend on securing European Union funding.

If the money is forthcoming under the EU’s Marco Polo “Motorway of the Sea” programme, which is aimed at taking freight off the roads, White said he would charter a second vessel capable of accommodating both freight and passengers. This would operate direct twice-weekly services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

“It’s a logical extension of what we were already intending to do. It’s just a matter of putting on another vessel to run on alternate days,” White said.

Stevenson said: “Recognising that the route is commercially viable, Attica is continuing to make figures available to others who have an interest in operating the route.”

Stevenson added that a waterborne freight grant of £1.5m is still available should an alternative operator be found.

A spokesman for Forth Ports said: “We are in talks with a number of ferry operators and are still targeting a seamless transfer on September 14.”

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