Norfolkline ferry crossing eagerly awaited in Scotland

The positive effects of the Norfolkline ferry crossing between Rosyth in Scotland and Zeebrugge in Belgium are being eagerly anticipated by Scottish tourism and business representatives.

Norfolkline's service will get underway on May 18th, with sailings from Zeebrugge every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and departures from Rosyth on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Kell Robdrup, managing director of the Norfolkline ferry division, said the company's goal with the service is to provide a "safe, comfortable and environmentally friendly crossing to customers".

Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson said that the service will support the Homecoming tourist initiative – a series of events and celebrations that will be taking place throughout 2009.

"Visitors from Europe can now make plans to join in our Homecoming celebrations," he said. "We have a unique opportunity with Norfolkline to get the ferry off to the best possible start through encouraging friends and family from Europe to travel to Scotland using this new ferry service."

Denise Hill of VisitScotland added: "We are delighted to be working with Norfolkline to promote their Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry service to ensure that…travellers continue to exploit the opportunity of a direct crossing and maximise the number of nights they spend within our borders."

This year's Rosyth to Zeebrugge crossing, which is the only direct link between Scotland and the continent, will use a new ship offering 109 en-suite cabins, a widescreen cinema, bars and restaurants.