Latest news with #ProjectBrave
The Courier
2 days ago
- Business
- The Courier
John Swinney commits to removing final Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry obstacles
First Minister John Swinney gave a personal commitment to overcome any remaining obstacles to re-establish Scotland's ferry link between Rosyth and Europe. The SNP leader was asked in Holyrood on Thursday to make sure 'bureaucracy' does not prevent the route reopening as early as next year. Green Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell raised the ongoing campaign in parliament, urging Mr Swinney to 'take the lead'. Responding, Mr Swinney said: 'I'm very happy be to involved, although I'm confident the transport secretary will be able to do all on this that I could contribute. 'The government would welcome this and we will do everything we can to remove any obstacles that are in the way.' Mr Ruskell welcomed the answer, telling The Courier he hoped bringing the necessary decision makers together could allow a resolution to be identified. We reported previously that the UK Government's new Brexit reset could provide a simple solution to the outstanding border control issues. Dunfermline and Dollar Labour MP Graeme Downie suggested the agreement would remove the requirement for a border control post – necessary due to Brexit – where animals, plants and food arriving from Europe would be inspected. It was estimated installing such a post could cost up to £3 million. But it is believed a simple change in the law could allow facilities in nearby Grangemouth to be used as a temporary border control post until the full effects of the deal become reality and no post is required. The previous ferry link between Rosyth and Zeebrugge ended seven years ago after a fire onboard a vessel. Businessman Derek Sloan, of Ptarmigan Shipping, is the driving force behind the recent proposals to revive the route – known as Project Brave. He secured an agreement for the route between Fife and Dunkirk, but uncertainty over the remaining obstacles, and funding for the new border control post, meant the plan was put on ice. Mr Sloan welcomed the commitment from the first minister, saying: 'It's good that they've finally made a decision to overcome these barriers. 'It's common sense that if we need to use a border control post while the legislation is changed, why would we spend £4 million on a new facility that will be closed down?' It is understood operator DFDS is looking to restart the route as early as next year if the remaining challenges can be solved.
The Courier
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Could Rosyth-Europe ferry set sail thanks to Brexit reset?
A new deal between the EU and UK could bring the Rosyth-Dunkirk ferry link a step closer to reality, according to a project supporter. The new optimism comes after a reset with Brussels agreed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The deal appears to remove the requirement for a border control post – necessary due to Brexit – where animals, plants and food arriving from Europe would be inspected. The cost of that post is estimated at around £3 million and finding cash for its construction has proved challenging. But since the deal emerged last week, Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie thinks a more simple solution is available. He thinks a simple change in the law could allow facilities in nearby Grangemouth to be used as a temporary border control post until the full affects of the deal become reality and no post is required. In a letter to First Minister John Swinney, Mr Downie explained: 'As you are no doubt aware, the recent Brexit reset has significantly reduced the requirement for agrifood veterinary inspections on imported goods entering the UK from the EU. 'As a result, the need for Border Control Post facilities is expected to diminish but while it may take some months for the relevant legislation to be amended and implemented, the eventual outcome will likely render these facilities redundant. 'Speaking to the people involved in the project, they believe there is no longer a compelling reason for the Scottish Government to insist on the construction of a new BCP at Rosyth. 'The Scottish Government could simply amend the required legislation to allow Grangemouth to be used as a temporary measure until the full EU-UK deal is implemented and no BCP is required at all.' A fire on board a vessel seven years ago terminated Fife's direct link to continental Europe – and campaigners have long called for a return. Businessman Derek Sloan, of Ptarmigan Shipping, is the driving force behind the recent proposals to revive the link – known as Project Brave. The old link sailed between Rosyth and Zeebrugge. Mr Sloan struck an agreement to call at Dunkirk but the plan was put on ice while talks continued with governments over remaining obstacles. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it supported the development on Scotland's ports. She added: 'As we await confirmed details of a UK-EU trade deal, we will continue to engage with port operators and others to explore how this might be delivered so that Scottish exporters have more direct routes to market.'
Local France
05-03-2025
- Business
- Local France
Ferry link plans between France and Scotland
Ferry operator DFDS said it could run three weekly trips between Dunkerque and Rosyth, near Edinburgh, with an estimated journey time of around 20 hours - making it one of the longest ferry journeys in Europe. Currently, the longest journey across the continent is Portsmouth to Bilbao, Spain, which lasts between 27 and 30 hours. The new route, sometimes informally referred to as 'Project Brave' was first proposed in 2022, but never launched because of problems raising the estimated £3 million (€3.61million) needed to set-up the service Graeme Downie, the Westminster MP for Dunfermline and Dollar, has said that the direct ferry link would, 'initially carry 51,000 passengers a year, rising to 79,000', and bring, 'an additional £11.5 million of spend to the Scottish economy'. An earlier passenger ferry transport link between Rosyth and Zeebrugge, in Belgium, launched in 2002. The route was scrapped in 2008, restarted in 2009 and stopped again in 2010. DFDS then ran a freight-only service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge until 2018, until a fire onboard a freight ship prompted the closure of the route entirely.
Euronews
27-02-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Fancy a ferry from Scotland to France? ‘Project Brave' wants to take you there in 2025
Hopes for a new direct ferry service between Scotland and France have resurfaced, but without any concrete moves towards launch. The planned service will provide three weekly sailings from the port of Rosyth near Edinburgh to Dunkirk in France. Proposals for the so-called 'Project Brave' ferry service were first floated in 2022, but stalled due to lack of funding. Now, talks of funding the initiative have restarted, as supporters argue that the link would have massive economic benefits, both from transportation of passengers and the movement of freight. For tourists, it would provide a convenient travel option, with the possibility of taking a vehicle on the crossing, giving more flexibility at the other end. Given that it would be an alternative to road and air transport, it would also align with goals to reduce carbon emissions. 'Industry agrees and ferry operators stand ready to deliver a route, but the Scottish government lacks the courage to support Project Brave,' claims Neale Hanvey, former leader of the Alba party. 'What can be done to encourage the Scottish government to invest a modest amount of pump-prime funding to realise the economic and environmental benefits that would be felt by all across the UK?' If the service were to launch, it would be a crossing of around 20 hours, making it one of the longest sea journeys in Europe. The current longest crossing is from Portsmouth, UK, to Bilbao, Spain, which takes between 27 and 30 hours. When did Scotland last have a direct ferry to Europe? From 2002, Scotland had a direct ferry connection to Zeebrugge in Belgium from its port in Rosyth. Operated by Superfast Ferries, the service was an overnight crossing of around 17 hours, departing around four times per week. Although the summer months saw good demand for the service from passengers, concerns mounted over the lack of freight on the crossing. In 2005, the crossing frequency was reduced to just three times per week. The following year, Superfast Ferries adjusted its vessel from the Superfast X to the smaller Blue Star I, operated by its sister company Blue Star Ferries. Then, in 2008, the service was discontinued entirely. Unperturbed by the poor performance of the route, Norfolkline, a subsidiary of Danish company DFDS, picked up the service in 2009 with a three weekly overnight crossing. But that didn't last long either, as DFDS pulled the passenger service from the route in 2010, citing insufficient demand. DFDS continued to run a freight-only service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge until 2018, when it closed following a fire on board its freight ship. When will the new Scotland to France ferry launch? Although there is some support for a direct Rosyth to Dunkirk ferry service, its launch is not without its hurdles. According to the Dunfermline Press, the original Spring 2025 launch date has been delayed and pushed back as DFDS is seeking grants from the Scottish Government to help launch the route. However, when DFDS previously tried to obtain funding to support the route, Transport Scotland concluded that subsidising routes in such a way could be deemed 'anti-competitive.' At Westminster in November, Graeme Downie MP said £3 million (€3.6 million) in funding was needed, adding that "It is estimated the direct ferry link would initially carry 51,000 passengers a year, rising to 79,000, bringing an additional £11.5 million (€14 million) of spend to the Scottish economy.' According to a spokesperson for DFDS, it is continuing to discuss the opportunity with the Scottish government, with conversations ongoing around 'practical issues which will have to be resolved before any new ferry service can be introduced.' 'As it stands, the timeframe is currently looking like the second half of 2025,' the spokesperson concludes.
