A new Scotland–France ferry could launch as early as 2025

A project called "Project Brave" envisions launching regular cargo and passenger ferry services between Scotland and France. Despite preliminary plans and interest in the project, no concrete steps toward implementation have been taken so far.

The new route is expected to connect the port of Rosyth near Edinburgh with Dunkirk in France, running three sailings a week. The project was first presented in 2022, but its implementation was delayed due to a lack of funding.

Talks to secure funding have now resumed. Supporters of "Project Brave" point to significant economic benefits that both passenger transport and freight shipping would bring.

For tourists, the new ferry would provide a convenient way to travel, with the option of bringing along their own cars, increasing mobility and freedom of movement. The route also aligns with environmental goals aimed at cutting carbon emissions, offering an alternative to road and air travel.

"The industry supports this initiative, ferry operators are ready to deliver the project, but the Scottish government has yet to show enough resolve in backing it," said former Alba Party leader Neale Hanvey.

MSP Graham Downie stressed that around £3 million in initial funding is needed to launch the service. Preliminary estimates suggest that around 51,000 passengers would use the service in its first year alone, with that figure potentially rising to 79,000 later on. This would bring an additional £11.5 million a year to the Scottish economy.

If the route opens, the crossing would take around 20 hours, making it one of the longest in Europe. By comparison, the current longest crossing, between Portsmouth (UK) and Bilbao (Spain), takes 27 to 30 hours.

The last direct ferry between Scotland and continental Europe ran from 2002 to 2010, connecting Rosyth with Zeebrugge in Belgium. In 2018, freight services on a similar route were discontinued by DFDS following a fire on board a vessel.

DFDS representatives confirm that talks with the Scottish government are continuing, and note that a number of issues still need to be resolved. The expected launch date for the new service has tentatively been pushed back to the second half of 2025.