A direct ferry link between Scotland and mainland Europe could reopen early next year. The ferry is expected to travel between Rosyth on the Firth of Forth to Zeebrugge in Belgium from 2023.
The route last operated, for freight only, in 2018. DFDS ran the RoRo cargo ship Finlandia
Seaways (IMO 9198721) on the crossing, but a fire on board meant that the company could not find a replacement and “lost all hope” of turning around long-running losses on the route. The ferry last operated a passenger service in 2010. It first began sailing in 2002.
The route was Scotland’s only direct sea link to mainland Europe. From 2023 the ferries will carry freight, but it is hoped that passenger sailing could follow soon after.
DFDS and Ptarmigan Shipping said that the companies had “signed an agreement with the intention to further investigate the possibility for a new ferry route between Rosyth and Zeebrugge with a target date being early 2023 for freight”, adding that a further study was being carried out regarding the passenger business.
2000-built, Denmark-flagged, 11,530 gt Finlandia Seaways is owned and managed by DFDS AS of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is entered with West of England Club (European Club) on behalf of DFDS AS. As of June 25th it was underway from Lindoe, Denmark, to Emden, Denmark ETA June 26th.
