UK Government supports re-establishment of route from Scotland to the continent

FerryA proposed direct ferry service between Scotland and mainland Europe has moved closer to reality after the UK Government allocated GBP 3 million to upgrade Border Force and customs facilities at Rosyth. The funding depends on a commercial agreement between Forth Ports and a ferry operator, as well as approval of the business case. The route would connect Rosyth with Dunkirk, restoring a direct RoPax link that has been absent since the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight service ended in 2018.

The project is expected to improve trade, tourism, and regional economic activity, while also reducing road freight and creating jobs. To support the route, the Scottish Government is considering legislative changes allowing goods arriving at Rosyth to undergo required biosecurity checks at an existing Border Control Post in nearby Grangemouth.

This would improve access to EU markets, which account for a significant share of Scottish exports. Industry stakeholders, including DFDS and Forth Ports, view the investment as an important step toward launching the service, highlighting its potential to strengthen logistics, enhance export capacity, and support long-term economic growth.

mar 20 2026