ONE of the main obstacles to the return of the Rosyth ferry to Europe is to be removed by the Scottish Government.
Danish-owned DFDS want to launch a freight and passenger service, three times per week to and from Dunkirk in France, with a sailing time of 20 hours, but there's no Border Control Post (BCP) at the West Fife port.
The Scottish Government are now proposing legislation changes that will allow products arriving from the EU to be docked at Rosyth and then checked at the BCP in Grangemouth.
Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie said: "While it has taken the SNP far too long to come to the table, it is very good news this action has been taken to allow a potential freight and passenger ferry service from Rosyth to use the BCP at Grangemouth.
Dunfermline and Dollar Labour MP Graeme Downie.
(Image: Newsquest)
“The trade deal secured with the EU by the UK Labour government will ensure a less onerous process in future but it is a relief that after months of pressure from myself and others the SNP have finally done the right thing.
“This puts a ferry service from Rosyth to Dunkirk one step closer to operation, and I will carry on working on the remaining barriers along with local and national stakeholders."
READ MORE: Ministers told to restore Scotland to Europe ferry service
Food and agricultural products must undergo biosecurity checks at a BCP before entering Scotland from the EU and vice versa.
The existing port at Rosyth is not able to facilitate border checks however these are already in place just over 20 miles away at Grangemouth.
SNP MSP for Cowdenbeath, Annabelle Ewing.
(Image: Newsquest)
Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing said the proposals will remove "unnecessary post-Brexit barriers" and allow ferries to dock at the Fife port.
She said: "This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking, practical action people expect from the SNP government, reconnecting Scotland to Europe and putting Fife back on the map as a key trading hub.
“Re-establishing the Rosyth - Europe ferry route will boost local jobs, strengthen Fife’s economy and support our exporters, helping to undo some of the real damage caused by a Brexit Scotland did not vote for.
“While Westminster drags its heels, the SNP is delivering on Scotland’s ambition to be an outward-looking, confident European nation once again.”
The return of the ferry has been talked about for years, practically since the sailings stopped seven years ago.
READ MORE: MSP slams Scottish Government's lack of progress on ferry route
Superfast Ferries launched a service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge in 2002 and it was later taken over by Norfolkline.
It stopped carrying passengers in 2010, when it became freight-only, and DFDS became the third operator of the route.
The service ended in 2018 shortly after a fire on board the Finlandia Seaways ship.
Mr Downie told the Press last month that the
"final barrier" will be improved and upgraded infrastructure at the Port of Rosyth, and that talks had taken place to identify what might be needed and what it will cost.
A Forth Ports spokesperson said: “We support the return of a freight ferry service to the Port of Rosyth and we will continue to be part of the discussions and work alongside those who have an interest in the resumption of this service.”
Estimates suggest up to 80,000 passengers a year would use the Rosyth - Dunkirk route, bringing an extra £11.5 million of spend into the Scottish economy and taking 8.2 million tonnes of freight traffic off our roads.
Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP, Mark Ruskell.
(Image: Newsquest)
The government said a short consultation on the proposed legislation changes will be launched "as soon as possible", with the Scottish Statutory Instrument planned to be made before Scottish Parliament is dissolved for the 2026 elections.
Scottish Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Mark Ruskell, said: “Whilst I understand that due process must be followed, I’m concerned that opening a consultation ‘soon’ with the hope for legislative change ahead of the next election - less than six months away - with a growing backlog in the Scottish Parliament that this will be very tough ask.
“The appetite is there from Fife communities, from industry, from Westminster and Scottish exporters.
"We need the Scottish Government to prioritise this work to reduce the climate impact of transporting freight and for the local and national impact it would bring."
Minister for Agriculture & Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, said: “This is a strategically important trade route for Scotland, particularly for our agricultural sector, and it is imperative that we do all we can to counter the negative impact we are experiencing to Scottish exports following our removal from the EU.
“We will do all we can to ensure this direct freight and passenger ferry service to Europe is delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
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