DFDS, a Danish firm, has postponed its plans to inaugurate a freight and passenger ferry service from Rosyth, Scotland to Dunkirk, France. The decision comes after the Scottish and UK Governments failed to provide the necessary financial support. The company had initially planned to start the service in May. However, the absence of public investment has rendered the business case for the route "less viable".
Transport Scotland, a division of the Scottish Government, stated that routes could not be subsidized in a manner that would be "anti-competitive". A spokesperson expressed the government's support for the development of Scotland's ports and potential new direct ferry services linking Scotland to Europe. However, they emphasized that any new service must operate on a commercial basis.
A passenger ferry previously ran between Rosyth and the Belgian port of Zeebrugge until its closure in 2010. Additionally, a DFDS freight service on the same route ended in 2018 following a fire on one of its vessels. Despite the setbacks, DFDS hopes to resume discussions with the two governments to find a funding solution.
Source: news.stv.tv