Hauliers, politicians and the wider business community yesterday welcomed the announcement of a new operator for Scotland's only ferry service to Europe.

The ferry firm Norfolkline will operate the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route three times a week and possibly every day depending on demand.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the news as "a real success story and hugely important to Scotland's economy".

It comes after the final Superfast ferry service between the two ports sailed last weekend.

However, the new service is not due to start until spring next year as a new ferry is not yet ready.

Talks to try to find a new operator had been on-going after Superfast announced in May that its service would cease on September 13.

Mr Salmond revealed that the Scottish Government and Forth Ports had managed to secure the new operator for the route.

The First Minister said: "Maintaining connections with major European markets is vital for Scotland at a time of global economic challenges.

"In the six years this route has been operating, it has carried nearly one million passengers, 4.2m tonnes of freight and in 2005 generated around £3.4m of tourism expenditure in Scotland."

Norfolkline, is part of the AP Moller Maersk Group, and currently employs some 2200 people in 14 countries across Europe.

Norfolkline managing director Kell Robdrup said: "Linking Scotland to the Continent is a very meaningful endeavour as this brings people and business in both sides closer.

"I hope that passengers, freight customers, and industries in Scotland and the Continent will lend us their support. I believe close co-operation with all parties will make this service a success."

He added that while some issues remained, all parties were confident it would run in spring.

The company will receive a freight haulage grant from the Scottish Government and start-up cash from the EU but it insisted it is not interested in running subsidised routes and it sees Rosyth as viable.

Charles Hammond, group chief executive of Forth Ports, said the Rosyth to Zeebrugge service was "of vital strategic importance to Scotland".

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) raised concerns about the gap in the service until the Norfolkline starts sailings next year.

Phil Flanders, the RHA's Scotland and Northern Ireland director, said: "For the next seven months or so hauliers will have no option but to travel to other ports. This will add to their costs and will undoubtedly reduce their competitiveness."

Business leaders also welcomed the announcement. CBI Scotland's policy executive Iain Ferguson said: "As a nation on the periphery of major export markets in Europe it is crucial that Scotland maintains excellent transport links to the Continent."

Alan Russell, chief executive, Fife Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is excellent news for businesses across Fife, especially those involved in the haulage and freight sectors, and at a time when fuel costs are so high."

Scotland Office minister Ann McKechin said: "Securing the dual benefit of a freight and passenger service allows us to keep a strategic trade route open."