A FRESH call has been made for the Scottish and UK governments to "come together and work together" to re-float plans for a direct ferry link from West Fife to Dunkirk in France.

Following a meeting with those behind the plans, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley is keen to see proposals come to fruition which would see both passenger and freight ferries sail from Rosyth to Europe.

The proposals have been put forward by Derek Sloan of Ptarmigan Shipping Ltd and involve key stakeholders DFDS, Port of Rosyth and Port of Dunkerque.

Mr Sloan has claimed the demand from the public, Scottish exporters and importers, the freight companies and tourism sectors has been immense, with all stressing the need for a direct route from Scotland to continental Europe, with Visit Scotland and Fife Council also very supportive of the project.

Mr Rowley, who is Scottish Labour’s transport spokesperson, said: “I was delighted to meet with Derek to find out more about the proposals being put forward by him and key stakeholders DFDS, Port of Rosyth and Port of Dunkerque to deliver a new shipping route for freight and passengers from Rosyth to Dunkirk.

READ MORE: Lack of government support puts Rosyth ferry plan 'on hold'

“Given the potential economic, environmental and tourism benefits this new service could bring, it is crucial that both the UK and Scottish governments come together, work together and fully investigate the proposal’s viability.

“If the proposal is indeed viable and deliverable, this project has the potential to generate significant economic growth for Scotland and is already being supported by stakeholders in the freight industry and tourism sector.

“One of the major barriers to the success of this route would be the level of infrastructure needed to fulfil post-Brexit Border Force requirements and I believe one way both the UK and Scottish governments could support this project - if deemed viable - would be exploring alternative solutions to these issues such as the use of existing facilities at other sites.

He has now written to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, to request meetings to discuss the proposal.  

READ MORE: Government support 'critical' to help sail Rosyth ferry plans

Mr Sloan has this week said that DFDS and other key stakeholders – including the Port of Rosyth and Port of Dunkerque – are still “fully committed to try and get the service running by the end of the first quarter of 2025”.

He added that he had recently approached both governments and had a “positive response”.  

Transport Scotland has previously expressed support for the route but stressed that it had to be delivered on a “commercial basis” – indicating no forthcoming financial support.

But Mr Sloan stressed that the route isn’t looking to be subsidised and that it is “not a lot of funding”.

“It's nothing to do with subsidies. We’re looking for start-up infrastructure funding,” he added. “It’s a better approach and one that they're looking more favourably on now.”

Superfast Ferries launched the service from Rosyth in 2002 and it was later taken over by Norfolkline.

READ MORE: MP makes renewed call for ferry link from Rosyth to Europe

It stopped carrying passengers in 2010, when it became freight-only, and DFDS became the third operator of the route. They reached the end of the line shortly after a fire on board the Finlandia Seaways ship in April 2018.

In January this year, the proposals to re-start the service – it had been hoped they could have started in May this year – were put on hold after ferry operator DFDS stated that date was "no longer feasible" and "no further progress can be made" due to a lack of financial support.