Plans to restart Scotland to France ferry link scrapped

Plans to restart a Scotland to France ferry link have been scrapped as Forth Ports has pulled out of discussions to resurrect the route.

The port operator and shipping infrastructure company confirmed on Wednesday that the link from Rosyth to Dunkirk would not go ahead, despite some progress in recent months.

More than 15 years after the ferry crossing between Rosyth and Zeebrugge ended, the prospect of a new European ferry service at the Port of Rosyth received a £3m funding pledge from the UK Government in March.

The money was ring-fenced to help with necessary upgrades to the Border Force and customs infrastructure at Rosyth, and it was subject to the conclusion of a commercial agreement between Forth Ports and a ferry operator, as well as approval of the business case for a new service.

Forth Ports said on Wednesday that after “many months” of dialogue, discussions to resurrect the European ferry service at Rosyth “have not been able to be concluded” and therefore the service “will not restart”.

A spokesperson added: “Our position is based on a number of important economic factors which unfortunately impact the long-term viability of a ferry service in Rosyth.”

Scottish Labour’s Graeme Downie said it is “extremely disappointing” the ferry service will not be restored.

“I am confident I did everything I could to bring the right people together and help make the service a reality, including securing the promise of £3m in funding from the UK Government,” the MP for Dunfermline and Dollar said.

“It looks as though we have reached the end of the road in efforts to restore the service. However, no public money has been spent, and I will continue to do everything I can to attract investment to Dunfermline and Dollar, create more opportunities for local people and support the growth of our local economy.”

Forth Ports emphasised that the Port of Rosyth is an “important asset” for Scotland, and a spokesperson for the firm said it is committed to exploring a number of business opportunities to deliver “long-term job creation and economic growth for Rosyth, Fife and Scotland”.

The spokesperson added: “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.

“We will continue to connect Scotland with the rest of the world through the container terminal at the Port of Grangemouth.

“We appreciate all of the work undertaken to date and we want to acknowledge the commitment shown by Graeme Downie MP, the UK Government through the Scotland Office, Transport Scotland, DFDS and Derek Sloan over a number of years as we worked together to seek a way forward.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.