THE SNP are set to hold a debate on the planned relaunch of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry at their much-anticipated conference next weekend.
The direct link between Scotland and the Belgian coast is set to reopen next year, after last carrying passengers in 2010.
It was Scotland's only direct sea link to Europe and, in the wake of Brexit, the interest in re-opening it has been building.
A motion lodged for the first day of the SNP conference in Aberdeen welcomes the news and suggests setting a timescale of the end of the Scottish Parliament for consulting with coastal communities “to ensure all needs and requirements are taken into account”.
It also suggests the consultation would help to establish an “ambitious” maritime strategy that would meet an independent Scotland’s business, tourism, and international maritime trading requirements.
The SNP conference will start on Saturday, October 8, and end on Monday, October 10.
The motion reads: “Conference welcomes the news of the proposed reopening of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route and commends the efforts of all those that have campaigned for years to achieve this much.
“Conference recognises that Scotland is historically a maritime nation and the economic benefits we have enjoyed from our close connection to the sea date back well over a thousand years.
“Conference deplores that decades of inaction and underinvestment by Westminster has led to this situation where our international ferry services have atrophied to such an extent that we have no mainland ferry link to continental Europe.
“Conference resolves to set a timescale, of the end of this Scottish Parliament, to consult with coastal communities through a deliberative consultation model, to ensure all needs and requirements are taken into account, particularly those of island communities, and to establish an ambitious Maritime Strategy which will meet an independent Scotland’s business, tourism, and international maritime trading requirements.”
An amendment has been put forward by the Leith branch which suggests adding “this would include exploring the possibilities of getting freight goods off the road and into containers for onward shipping”.
The original motion has been lodged by the West Fife, Uddingston and Belshill, and Eastwood branches alongside Douglas Chapman.
At first, the ferries will carry freight, but there is an eye on opening the sailings to the public as well soon after, with concerns that not carrying passengers for 2023's summer tourism season would be a missed opportunity.
Chapman, who has been involved with the talks aimed at getting the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry back online, said he was looking forward to discussing the issue with members at the conference after months of work.
He said: “I am delighted that conference is set to debate the culmination of months and months of work on the reinstatement of the ferry link between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.
“The motion is right to point out our long relationship with the sea and historical maritime prowess as well as our abiding links to Europe and our desire to reignite these connections.
“This is especially important for our exporters post Brexit to boost trade as well as tourism, with huge public and commercial support.
“I think it is both fitting and important to engage with coastal communities on shaping and rebuilding these links as part of a wider, ambitious and comprehensive Maritime Strategy for Scotland.
“I look forward with great anticipation to discussing these issues with party members and colleagues at conference."
