Now launch Scotland to Scandinavia ferry link

A FErry link between Scotland and Scandinavia could help boost trade and tourism after Brexit, according to a Nationalist MSP.

Angus MacDonald has called on the Scottish Government to work with operators to introduce a passenger route to countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

He is suggesting port sites in Aberdeen and rosyth for the service.

P&O Ferries announced last year it was willing to speak to SNP ministers over proposals for a ScotlandScandinavia link – but discussions failed to lead to any commitments. At the moment there is only one ferry route linking Scotland to the continent – a freight-only service running from rosyth to Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Falkirk East MSP Mr MacDonald believes ministers must reopen talks with ferry operators to capitalise on the potential increase in trade and tourism which a new route could bring.

More than three million overseas tourists visited Scotland last year, with European visitors accounting for 60 per cent of the total.

Mr MacDonald said: ‘It’s clear that there is no better time for ferry operators to reinstate a direct passenger ferry link between Scotland and Scandinavia.

‘Last year was a record year for overseas tourists, with visitors from Europe flocking to get their share of Scotland’s rich culture and heritage. I have no doubt that a ferry link between Aberdeen, rosyth or elsewhere would be fantastic for Scotland’s booming tourism industry.

‘I will continue to work with ferry operators and the Scottish Government to make this route a reality.’

There were more than 15million visits to the UK from Scandinavia between 2011 and 2016, contributing nearly £8.5billion to the UK economy.

yesterday, the Scottish Government confirmed ministers are keen to introduce a passenger ferry service between Europe and Scotland.

It has called on companies to contact officials in an effort to start discussions on how this could work.

Connectivity Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: ‘We are very keen to progress the reintroduction of Scotland’s direct ferry connections to mainland Europe and would also welcome the introduction of new services should options emerge.

‘We would seek to engage positively with any operators who could run passenger and/or freight services on a commercially viable basis to support Scotland’s tourism sector and exporters.’

The DFDS Seaways link between Harwich, Essex, and Esbjerg, Denmark, was the last direct passenger ferry between the UK and Scandinavia – but closed in 2014.

The company had examined opening a route from Scotland but found that market conditions were ‘unsuitable’, with bosses claiming it would ‘not be economically viable to run such a service’.

The last passenger ferry from Scotland to Scandinavia – from Caithness to Bergen, Norway – was discontinued a decade ago.

There had previously been a service between Lerwick, in Shetland, and Bergen.

‘It’s clear there is no better time’