The MP for Dunfermline has said he believes progress is being made on securing infrastructure funding that will allow the return of a Passenger and Freight ferry service from Rosyth to mainland Europe, bringing thousands of visitors to Scotland and increasing trade and economic growth across the central belt.
Graeme Downie, Scottish Labour MP for Dunfermline & Dollar, made the comments after meeting with Blair McDougall, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade, in London this afternoon.
Mr. Downie has been working with local partners on plans for a regular passenger and freight ferry service from Rosyth to Dunkirk since being elected in July 2024.
It is estimated the direct ferry link would initially carry 51,000 passengers a year, rising to 79,000, bringing an additional £11.5m of spend to the Scottish economy. On freight it is estimated the route would begin by carrying 22,000 freight units per year, taking 8.2 million kilometres of freight traffic off UK roads each year, with a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Downie said:
“One of the major barriers to a passenger and freight ferry service from Rosyth to Dunkirk has already been overcome thanks to the trade deal agreed by the UK Government with the EU earlier this year. That will remove the need for a separate freight Border Control Post (BCP) at Rosyth although sadly the SNP Scottish Government are dragging their feet on committing to the interim measures they are responsible for.”
“The final barrier to the return of the service is the need for improved and upgraded infrastructure at the Port of Rosyth itself. I have had ongoing discussions for a number of months with the Scotland Office and Department of Business and Trade, along with local partners Forth Ports, Fife Council, Forth Green Freeport and DFDS to identify exactly what might be needed, the total cost and how that can be met together.”
“Meeting with the Minister today is the next step in making the case to the UK Government for their support to identify and secure the necessary funding.”
“The meeting was productive and positive and I hope the Minister will have been left in no doubt of the huge economic benefits to Fife and the rest of Scotland if a regular passenger and freight ferry service can be established from Rosyth to Dunkirk.”