A GRANGEMOUTH site could be used to help facilitate the proposed Scotland to Europe ferry, according to the man working behind the scenes to make it happen.
Derek Sloan, the CEO of Ptarmigan Shipping, told The National that the main stakeholders are still fully committed in starting the passenger and freight route from Rosyth to the French port of Dunkerque in 2025.
“[But] we still have a few outstanding issues that need resolved, which we are currently discussing with various MPs and ministers from both the Scottish and UK Government,” he said.
We previously reported on how plans for the route – amounting to three return sailings per week – had to be put on hold in January due to a “lack of financial support” from both Westminster and Holyrood.
Sloan explained that one of the current major roadblocks is defining the exact infrastructure facilities required to meet post-Brexit legislation – which no ferry port in Scotland currently possesses.
Among the issues, the shipping export said, is that the UK Border Force are requesting a new Border Control Post in Rosyth – which is used to inspect animals, animal products, plants and plant products from third countries – with an estimated cost of £3 million.
But now, Sloan has argued that Grangemouth’s Border Control Post could be used instead.
“We are arguing that we can save this amount of investment support by being able to use the already existing under-used facility that was built in Grangemouth for such purposes for the containerised trade,” he said.
“Various other ports, including Dover, use existing facilities that are outside the port and we see no reason why this cannot be done between Rosyth and Grangemouth.
“This would in turn reduce the funding support required and make better use of the very expensive Government funded facility in Grangemouth.”
Petroineos announced on Thursday it would shutter the Grangemouth refinery in the second quarter of next year as it looks to move to become an import terminal – putting 400 jobs on the site at risk.
Sloan said that, when it comes to other start-up costs, an application has been made for Transport Scotland’s Water Freight Grant for “between £2m and £3m and the project is also looking into the new Labour Government’s National Wealth Fund.
“A new National Wealth Fund, with £1.8 billion in funding allocated to ports and supply chain infrastructure, is definitely something that this project falls into,” he said. “But the timing of when it is available may be an issue.”
Sloan added: "It really would be a shame for the project not to materialise for such a small amount of support.
“The benefits to inward and outward tourism, the supply chain, employment in the region and not least the reduction of our carbon footprint are immense. Surely these are all the key points in both governments' manifestos.”
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
