AN intervention from the Scottish Government was not enough to revive plans for a ferry service between Rosyth and Dunkirk.
But another part of the country could benefit from a sea link to Europe instead if a commercial partner is found.
Deputy first minister, Jenny Gilruth, met with Forth Ports to discuss the issue on Wednesday, September 23, after the company announced earlier in the month that it was pulling out of the project.
But a spokesperson for it said: “Forth Ports’ position on the proposed ferry remains unchanged and the company will continue to engage with the Scottish Government on a range of issues important to Scotland’s economic future.”
Several millions of pounds would have been invested in West Fife if the launch had gone ahead, and vast economic benefits had been anticipated.
The UK Government had committed £3 million towards border control and customs infrastructure upgrades to get things over the line, and the SNP pledged the same amount of funding during its Scottish Parliament election campaign.
Danish company DFDS had been expected to run the boat service, and called Forth Ports’ decision “disappointing”.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government has been clear that a ferry service from Scotland to mainland Europe must be commercially led.
“As the first minister has set out, a private sector partner is needed to lead such a project and the Scottish Government is open to discussing how government could potentially support such a project, just as it did with Forth Ports and DFDS.”
The previous Rosyth route to Zeebrugge stopped carrying passengers in 2010 before continuing as a freight-only service. The final sailing took place in 2018 after DFDS withdrew from the route.
Dunfermline and Dollar MP, Graeme Downie, said: “The Scottish Government’s shtick of warm words backed up with absolutely zero action continues to age like milk.
“They made a song and dance about Rosyth in their manifesto just six months ago yet did not make any commitment in their Programme for Government last month to support the only feasible and commercially led proposal for a ferry service between Scotland and Europe, which has now collapsed.
“They have once again been caught asleep at the wheel. The people of Fife, and of Scotland, deserve better.”
Cowdenbeath MSP, David Barratt, previously said the information he had received suggested the collapse of the project was not linked to funding, but the viability of the shipping route.
