Plans for Scottish ferry to mainland Europe scrapped

Plans to resurrect a ferry service between Scotland and mainland Europe have been scrapped.

Forth Ports said it had concerns over the "long-term viability" of the proposed route between Rosyth in Fife and Dunkirk in northern France.

The port owners had been in talks with Danish shipping company DFDS over operating the route after the Scottish and UK governments each committed £3m to the project.

However, Forth Ports said its focus had shifted to "delivering alternative activity at the port" after considering "a number of important economic factors".

Both the Scottish and UK governments said they were "disappointed" with the decision.

Passenger services have not run between Rosyth and Europe since 2010, when a link was terminated between the port and Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Freight services were also halted by DFDS in 2018 following a fire on board one of its vessels.

In March, Forth Ports said the ferry would form a "key part" of the Forth Green Freeport project.

But in a statement, the firm said talks had failed to find a "long-term sustainable way forward" for the restoration of a passenger service.

"After careful consideration, these discussions have not been able to be concluded, such that the service will not restart," it said.

"The Port of Rosyth is an important asset for Scotland and we are committed to exploring a number of business opportunities for the port which will deliver and sustain long-term job creation and economic growth.

"The Port of Rosyth remains a key area for development of the Forth Green Freeport and our focus will now shift to delivering alternative activity at the port."

The Rosyth-Dunkirk crossing was proposed to run three times a week, with a 20-hour journey time.

DFDS said "no firm timeline" was in place in January but "constructive discussions" were taking place.

DFDS ran the last passenger ferry from the port to the European mainland when it took over the crossing to Zeebrugge from Norfolkline.

The route initially opened under the Superfast Ferries banner in 2002.

Talks to restore the link resurfaced in June 2022, while an alternative service between Rosyth and Eemshaven in the Netherlands was also mooted in 2019, but neither came to fruition.

The Scottish government had agreed to match £3m of funding allocated by the UK government's Growth Mission Fund towards the plans earlier this year.

Scotland's transport secretary, Stephen Flynn, said: "While this is ultimately a commercial decision, this is deeply disappointing news.

"The Scottish Government has wholeheartedly backed a direct ferry service between Scotland and Europe – and we have already taken a number of steps to enable it.

"That included taking forward the legislation required, actively considering freight grant support and assisting with anticipated infrastructure upgrades at Rosyth."

A UK government spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that Forth Ports have made this commercial decision.

"The UK government backed the proposal, pledging a £3m investment and brought partners together to try to broker a deal."

DFDS has been contacted for comment.