New UK-France ferry service planned for summer 2025

A new ferry service between the UK and France could begin in 2025. It aims to carry up to 80,000 passengers each year. The ferry will connect Rosyth in Scotland to Dunkirk in France and will be operated by the Danish company DFDS. The service is expected to operate three times a week and could start as soon as this summer. Initially, it will serve about 51,000 travelers and freight. The project has faced funding challenges, delaying its launch from spring to summer 2025. DFDS hopes to secure a £2.9 million grant from the Scottish Government. This new route revives a previously broken link between Scotland and northern Europe. A ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge in Belgium ran from 2002 until 2008, when it was discontinued due to a fire. Although ferries from Portsmouth to Normandy remain the busiest routes, the new service is set to boost Scotland's economy by over £11 million, according to Labour MP Graeme Downie. The ferry, called 'Project Brave', was first suggested in 2022. Each trip will take about 20 hours, making it one of the longest ferry journeys in Europe. The existing longest route between Portsmouth and Bilbao takes over 27 hours. Downie mentioned that the ferry link would help with passenger and freight movement after Brexit. However, DFDS has expressed concerns about a "lack of support" from both the Scottish and UK governments. In January, Downie stated that while the UK government could not provide funding, it had been helpful in finding other options. DFDS confirmed it is in talks with authorities to resolve funding issues and remains hopeful for the new route.