Keep our ferry service afloat

Jun 28 2008 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

CITY leaders anxious to find a replacement ferry operator to run services to Norway have met to discuss what incentives they could offer.

Tourism officers from Gateshead and Newcastle met with their counterparts from Bergen earlier this week to discuss the impact of DFDS’s decision to scrap the route this autumn.

Councillors are worried the loss of the ferry route could have huge implications for Tyneside’s economy, with Norwegian officials just as eager to ensure a replacement ferry service can be found before the route is stopped.

The Danish company, which took over the loss-making service from the region to the western Norwegian ports of Stavanger, Haugesund and Bergen in 2006, will close the route on September 1. Around 270 staff on the MS Queen of Scandinavia – 72 of whom are UK-based and some of whom are on time-limited contracts – plus 70 land-based jobs spread across the UK, Norway and Denmark will go.

The company blamed rising fuel costs for the change, as prices doubled year-on-year.

Representatives from the Port of Tyne were also at the meeting, as was NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) boss Andrew Dixon.

Councillors have discussed what changes to the route could be made to make it financially viable, and what financial support the councils can provide.

Some have suggested that the councils and NGI should allow some of their budget to be used to advertise the service, with any future operator being guaranteed the backing of the tourism group. Norwegian officials are also considering what financial help they can offer.

The group will now approach other ferry operators offering their support in exchange for a commitment to maintain some level of service.

Mr Dixon said it was too early to say what form the help would take.

He said: “Our culture, tourism and business connections with Norway are extremely important to both our economies and we will do everything possible to secure another operator by working collaboratively with our partners.”

Newcastle councillor Greg Stone said that while there were no firm details as yet, the council was committed to doing what it could to preserve the service.

He said: “There is strong interest on both sides of the North Sea in keeping this important link. Work will now need to be done to see what options are available to us and what is the best way to save this route.”

A spokeswoman for the Port of Tyne said the details of the discussions were confidential but added all the partners were “eager to work together”.

She said: “Obviously the aim is to have the ferry service reinstated and that is something Port of Tyne is happy to support.”