![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SEI_242356538-6ec7.jpg\")
\n\t\tA Danish-owned DFDS seaways ferry crossing the English Channel (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tA Danish-owned DFDS seaways ferry crossing the English Channel (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
A new ferry service directly linking Scotland<\/a> and France<\/a> could launch later this year as the port of Dunkirk embarks on a \u20ac40bn (\u00a335bn) regeneration project.<\/p>\n The plans include a proposed cargo and passenger route from Rosyth in Fife to Dunkirk, eight years after the last freight ferries connected Scotland to mainland Europe. <\/p>\n It has been more than 15 years since the last passenger service ran.<\/p>\n The Dunkirk ferry plans have already been backed by about \u20ac4bn (\u00a33.5bn) in private and public investment, the Guardian<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n Earlier projections to re-establish the international link by spring 2026 appear to have been set back while the Scottish government establishes a new border control post for checking goods.<\/p>\n However, Dunkirk Port said last week that it was looking forward to the new crossing to Rosyth ahead of the Six Nations rugby tournament in early 2027.<\/p>\n \t\t Dunkirk officials claim the overall regeneration programme will mirror the WWII resilience for which it is famed.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tWIN an overnight stay for two at \u2018stylish\u2019 Edinburgh hotel The Rutland\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t To celebrate the launch of The Getaway Expert, Metro\u2019s exclusive travel newsletter, we\u2019ve teamed up with The\u00a0Rutland Hotel, Edinburgh\u00a0to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a glamorous overnight stay for two, dinner and breakfast included.<\/p>\n To find out more and for your chance to win, simply submit your details\u00a0in the form here <\/a>before midnight on\u00a0February 15, 2026.<\/p>\n You must be aged 18 or over to enter. T&Cs apply.<\/p>\n The proposed ferry route, which would be operated by the Danish company DFDS, would run three return trips per week, with a journey time of around 20 hours.<\/p>\n The ferry would become one of the longest sea journeys in Europe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Currently, the longest journey across the continent is Portsmouth to Bilbao<\/a> in Spain<\/a>, which takes between 27 and 30 hours.<\/p>\n The new route seeks to re-establish both passenger and freight links between Scotland and mainland Europe, boosting trade, tourism<\/a> and economic growth. <\/p>\n One of the biggest barriers to the project had been the need for a new border control post facility in Rosyth where goods could be processed. <\/p>\n The ferry would also make Scotland easier to access for tourists travelling with campervans, motorbikes and bicycles.<\/p>\n \t\t A similar transport link previously provided a ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge, in Belgium<\/a>, first launching in 2002. <\/p>\n The service, which took around 17 hours and was initially operated by Superfast Ferries, was reduced from four to three times per week in 2005 due to lack of demand, and discontinued entirely in 2008.<\/p>\n In 2009, Norfolkline, a subsidiary of Danish company DFDS, picked the route back up again, only to pull the passenger service the following year, citing insufficient demand.<\/p>\n DFDS continued to run a freight-only service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge until 2018, when it closed following a fire onboard its freight ship.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tWhat’s your travel personality? Find your dream holiday and more with The Getaway Expert\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t Are you a Cultural Weekender or a Nature Nomad? Find your dream destination match and much more with The Getaway Expert<\/a>\u00a0, Metro’s new six-step guide to becoming a more confident traveller in 2026.<\/p>\n Over seven days, you’ll learn insider tips that will transform the way you travel, from how to get free stopovers in Istanbul to\u00a0converting currency in real-time using the iPhone calculator app.<\/p>\n Sign up now.<\/a><\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Rosyth](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SEI_242372504-c63c.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe route seeks to re-establish both passenger and freight links (Picture: Google)<\/p>\n![\"Getaway](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1770831316_445_SEI_282374288_b9fae4-bce4.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe perfect base for exploring Scotland’s UNESCO-listed capital (Picture: The Rutland Hotel)<\/p>\n![\"Port](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-1367671987.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe port of Dunkirk is embarking on a massive regeneration programme that it claims will mirror the WWII resilience for which it is famed (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Balloons](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-590266991.jpg\")
\n\t\tPlanning a trip in 2026? Find out where you should go first (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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