The issue of ferry travel has made it to Scottish Parliament this week, with the focal point being the once popular Rosyth-Zeebrugge crossing. Earlier this month DFDS Seaways announced the regrettable news that the route would be discontinued for passengers, as it was not making enough profit to justify the continuation of the service. The announcement would potentially leave Scotland without a direct ferry service to the mainland of Europe.

Many highly regarded politicians in Scotland have challenged this decision, giving their backing to a motion to restore the service recently put forward by Labour’s John Park. The MSPs understand the importance of ferry travel for the local community of Rosyth, as well as the economy of Scotland as a whole. Among the backers for the motion is MSP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Malcolm Chisholm. Chisholm was vehement that the ferry crossing provides a raft of benefits for Scotland, saying: “It’s important we have alternative ways to reach the continent other than flying. I hope the government will do everything they can to persuade the company to think again.”

DFDS Seaways are likely to take time to review their thinking after the recent high profile resistance to the decision.

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