Scotland-France ferry service poised for revival with £35bn Dunkirk regeneration plan.
A potential new cargo and passenger ferry route between Rosyth in Fife and Dunkirk is on the cusp of relaunching as part of a major regeneration plan for the French port. The ambitious €40 billion (£35 billion) redevelopment programme, which began four years ago, aims to transform Dunkirk into a hub for low-carbon energy projects, battery factories, and maritime logistics.
The revived ferry service would initially involve one ship sailing from Rosyth three times a week to France, with the journey expected to take around 20 hours. The route has been in limbo since freight-only services between Scotland and Zeebrugge in Belgium ended in 2018, while passenger services ceased 16 years ago.
The regeneration plan, spearheaded by Dunkirk Mayor Patrice Vergriete, includes a €1.7 billion industrial revamp of contaminated land that was once occupied by a refinery destroyed during World War II. The site will be redeveloped for a battery factory and biofuel production plant, as well as specialised import-export terminals.
In addition to the ferry service, Dunkirk is set to expand its routes and tie in with a new €25 million rail terminal aimed at shifting cargo from trucks to trains and reducing carbon emissions.
Scotland's agriculture minister, Jim Fairlie, has announced plans for a consultation on restarting the ferry route, which would dock EU imports in Rosyth and conduct checks 20 miles away in Grangemouth. The move is part of an effort to restart trade with South America, as one in four pineapples and bananas imported into France already pass through Dunkirk.
The project has garnered attention across Europe as a potential model for reindustrialisation in communities that have lost heavy industries due to closure. "Dunkirk is at the forefront of industrial revitalisation efforts in France and more broadly in Europe," said a report by Institut Montaigne.
A potential new cargo and passenger ferry route between Rosyth in Fife and Dunkirk is on the cusp of relaunching as part of a major regeneration plan for the French port. The ambitious €40 billion (£35 billion) redevelopment programme, which began four years ago, aims to transform Dunkirk into a hub for low-carbon energy projects, battery factories, and maritime logistics.
The revived ferry service would initially involve one ship sailing from Rosyth three times a week to France, with the journey expected to take around 20 hours. The route has been in limbo since freight-only services between Scotland and Zeebrugge in Belgium ended in 2018, while passenger services ceased 16 years ago.
The regeneration plan, spearheaded by Dunkirk Mayor Patrice Vergriete, includes a €1.7 billion industrial revamp of contaminated land that was once occupied by a refinery destroyed during World War II. The site will be redeveloped for a battery factory and biofuel production plant, as well as specialised import-export terminals.
In addition to the ferry service, Dunkirk is set to expand its routes and tie in with a new €25 million rail terminal aimed at shifting cargo from trucks to trains and reducing carbon emissions.
Scotland's agriculture minister, Jim Fairlie, has announced plans for a consultation on restarting the ferry route, which would dock EU imports in Rosyth and conduct checks 20 miles away in Grangemouth. The move is part of an effort to restart trade with South America, as one in four pineapples and bananas imported into France already pass through Dunkirk.
The project has garnered attention across Europe as a potential model for reindustrialisation in communities that have lost heavy industries due to closure. "Dunkirk is at the forefront of industrial revitalisation efforts in France and more broadly in Europe," said a report by Institut Montaigne.
Can you believe it? The ferry service from Scotland to Dunkirk is making a comeback! I've been following this story for a while now, and the regeneration plan sounds like a game-changer for both France and Scotland. 
The idea of low-carbon energy projects and battery factories in Dunkirk is so exciting, especially with Europe's focus on reducing carbon emissions. It's also great to see the expansion of rail routes to shift cargo from trucks to trains – that's gotta be better for the environment! 
And, I'm loving the potential for trade with South America... who knew Dunkirk was such a hub? 
With the EU imports being docked in Rosyth and checks happening 20 miles away, it sounds like we're getting some serious infrastructure upgrades. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this project becomes a success! 
!! its like, scotland n france r gonna b best buds again 
! patrice vergriete, the dunkirk mayor, is like a hero 2 me lol 
& i love that scotland s agriculture minister jim fairlie is on board w/ this plan too 
and it's not like they're having any major issues with the route before... guess they must think there's some kinda demand for it? also, all these eco stuffs sounds great but what about the economic benefits for the people living in dunkirk? are they gonna get a cut from all this new industry and trade? 
A £35bn revamp plan for Dunkirk sounds like a huge boost for the whole region! I love that it's focusing on low-carbon energy projects and maritime logistics - so cool that Scotland and France are teaming up again 
It's like, a win-win for both countries and the environment! 
. Like, who's actually going to take a 20-hour boat ride from Scotland to Dunkirk? It's not like it's exactly the most convenient route either. And what's with all this fuss about low-carbon energy projects and battery factories? Can't they just make it a normal ferry service like everyone else? 
. That's just crazy talk. I mean, I guess it's cool that Dunkirk is trying to revamp its infrastructure and all, but come on, €40 billion? Can't they find a way to make it more efficient or something? 
This Dunkirk regeneration plan sounds like a total game changer! £35bn is a massive investment, I'm sure it'll create tons of new jobs and bring life back to the port. I mean, think about it, France's got all that beautiful coastline and Scotland's got those amazing farms... the ferry route makes so much sense! And this low-carbon energy project? We're talking future-proofing, mate! The fact that they're focusing on cargo and maritime logistics means they'll be attracting businesses that can move goods efficiently. Grangemouth is gonna be the hub for EU imports, eh? I hope it's a smooth sailin' (pun intended) for everyone involved 
. The whole plan seems super ambitious, but if it works, it could be a win-win for both countries. Fingers crossed they make it happen! 
It's amazing to see the French government investing so much into regenerating Dunkirk & turning it into a hub for low-carbon energy projects 
They're really focusing on making it a hub for low-carbon energy projects, battery factories, and maritime logistics... that's so cool to see! 
And I love how they're trying to reduce carbon emissions by shifting cargo from trucks to trains. That's something we should all be striving for, right? 
And I like how they're consulting with Scotland's agriculture minister about restarting the ferry route... hopefully it'll bring in more trade and opportunities for everyone involved. 
20 hours to get from Rosyth to Dunkirk is a bit of a slog but if they can get the trade with South America going then it could be a game changer for Scotland. 
️ It's amazing how Dunkirk is becoming a hub for low-carbon energy projects, battery factories, and maritime logistics.
️. But what's interesting is that this project could have some pretty big implications for Scotland's trade with South America 
. I wonder how the consultation process will play out, especially with plans to dock EU imports in Rosyth 
a ferry route from Scotland to France would be such an amazing idea! think about all the fresh produce we could get into scotland 
and it's not just about trade either, this regeneration plan is also so cool for the environment 
. & jim fairlie from scotland is all about restartin trade w/ south america too, which is a big deal! 
my only worry is how are they gonna deal with the long journey time tho 20 hours is ages lol but hey at least it'll be a great excuse to bring out the board games 
It's like when we lose something or someone special, it can be hard to get back on track. Dunkirk was left behind after the war, and now they're trying to reboot it as a hub for green energy projects. That's kinda like how life works, right? We stumble upon setbacks, but with time, patience, and effort, we can rebuild and create something new & better 