General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 9 October 2025.
Mr Mark Ruskell
Green
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the proposed ferry route between Rosyth and Dunkirk. (S6O-05048)
Jim Fairlie
Scottish National Party
The Scottish Government continues to support the development of our ports and the potential for a new direct freight and passenger ferry service linking Scotland to Europe. Ministers and officials have met the sponsors on a number of occasions regarding their proposal to introduce a new ferry route between Rosyth and Dunkirk, and the Scottish Government continues to engage with the sponsors on a variety of issues.
As Mark Ruskell is aware, one obstacle is the border control post requirements, which were introduced due to the United Kingdom exiting the European Union. Although the Scottish Government welcomes the recent announcement of an outline sanitary and phytosanitary agreement between the UK and the EU, until the agreement is finalised, it is impossible for the Scottish Government to provide certainty about future border control post requirements. Officials continue to discuss those matters and others with the sponsors.
Mr Mark Ruskell
Green
The Minister will be aware that, before the summer recess, the First Minister gave assurances that his Government would “welcome the ferry route” and do
“everything that we can to remove any obstacles that are in the way.”—[Official Report, 5 June 2025; c 20.]
Four months on, the biggest barrier remains the border control post designation. I believe that that is resolvable. The ferry route is a significant opportunity for the local community, the Scottish economy and our connection to Europe. How will the Government support the delivery of the ferry route in the coming months? Time is ticking away; we will lose the ferry route and the direct connection to Europe. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity, and I think that the First Minister knows that, too.
Jim Fairlie
Scottish National Party
Mark Ruskell makes light of the issue of border control posts, but he should not do so, because of the job that they do in preserving Scotland’s public health and animal health. The Scottish Government remains absolutely convinced that Scotland’s future is best served by being in the EU, and we remain committed to seeking to achieve that. Improving our transport and trade links with the European mainland is even more important and has even more resonance after the UK’s damaging exit from the EU.
As I said, although the Scottish Government welcomes the recent announcement about an SPS agreement between the UK and the EU, until an agreement is finalised, it is not possible to confirm what future border control post requirements will be. Scottish Government officials continue to liaise with the sponsors, and I have asked for a meeting directly with the sponsors.
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