#FerryNews -A North Sea ferry operator, DFDS has axed its freight service between Rosyth, Scotland and Zeebrugge in Belgium following a fire on one of its ships.
The vessel reports BBC News, is out of action following the blaze in an engine room and the ferry company said it had been unable to find a suitable replacement.
It was a loss-making route for DFDS and it said it had now "lost all hope" of reversing its fortunes.
The firm said it had "no alternative" but to close the route.
The Scottish government said Humza Yousaf, the transport secretary, would seek to hold urgent discussions with the company following the announcement.
A spokesman added that the minister wanted to fully understand the situation and "explore all options for the route".
DFDS said the fire broke out on its ro-ro freight ship Finlandia Seaways on 16 April.
One crew member was injured in the blaze. He was airlifted to hospital where he is being treated for injuries caused by smoke inhalation.
The ship was towed to Immingham, Lincolnshire, where the cargo was removed and an inspection was carried out.
In a statement Kell Robdrup, of DFDS, said: "The inspection revealed substantial damage to the ship's engine room, and we estimate that it will be out of service for several months for repairs.
"Furthermore, our search for a replacement vessel was fruitless and revealed that there are no suitable ships available.
"Unfortunately, this will bring about further losses on the route, and it means that we have lost all hope of being able to turn around the route's loss-making situation.
"Therefore, we have no alternative but to close the route as we undoubtedly will lose clients who will be forced to seek alternative solutions for their transport."
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In addition Afloat's coverage of recent months, when another North Sea operator, P&O Ferries met the Scottish Government, to explore the opening of a direct service to Scandinavia in a post Brexit environment.