THE SNP Government is discussing “possible grant funding” for a new ferry link between Scotland and mainland Europe.
Transport Scotland, a government body, said that they are liaising with operator DFDS on the potential for a Waterborne Freight Grant application.
Scottish Government guidance states that these grants are available to “any company wishing to move freight by water using UK ports or harbours and which results in the removal of freight from British roads” – but the route must be “economically viable” within three years of the grant.
It comes after MP Graeme Downie met with Treasury minister Spencer Livermore in an attempt to secure £3 million to bring back a service from Rosyth to mainland Europe.
The Scottish Labour MP said that the amount was a “small investment” which could bring “huge benefits to Fife and Scotland”.
DFDS are said to be hoping to operate a new route between Rosyth and Dunkirk. Passengers were last carried from Rosyth to Europe in 2010, while the freight route closed in 2018.
Speaking to the Record, Downie said: “A ferry between Rosyth and Dunkirk would bring 51,000 visitors a year to Scotland and remove 8.1 kilometres of freight traffic from British roads.”
He added: “There are barriers at Scottish Government [level] that the SNP will need to overcome as well.”
Asked what barriers Downie may be referring to and how the SNP may overcome them, a Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "We’ve always made clear our support for the development of Scotland’s ports and the potential for new direct freight and passenger ferry services linking Scotland to Europe.
“We will continue to engage with port operators and others to explore how that might be delivered so that Scottish exporters have more direct routes to market.
“However, the Scottish Government cannot subsidise routes in ways which would be anti-competitive beyond considering the availability of limited grant funding opportunities for freight initiatives.
“Transport Scotland are liaising with DFDS on possible Waterborne Freight Grant funding. We’ve been clear throughout our discussions that any new service will be required to be delivered on a commercial basis.”
