It has been announced that the ferry route between Scotland and mainland Europe could be restored in 2023 thanks to a deal struck between Danish owned DFDS and Ptarmigan Shipping.
The route would see a ferry travel from Rosyth on Scotland’s East Coast to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge.
In my opinion, this is a much-needed development, and would be a great opportunity for Scotland to increase its export and import opportunities with other European countries.
The port is in a perfect location with direct links from the North and South of Scotland, as well as to the Central Belt. Local SNP MP, Douglas Chapman, says this is a hugely exciting time for Rosyth, and consequently Dunfermline, with the signing of this agreement marking an important step forward.
Now the UK is no longer part of the EU, it is vital that we think of other ways to transport the fantastic products we produce to other parts of the world and having a direct ferry from the Firth of Forth to Belgium and beyond is an ideal opportunity to showcase Scotland’s wares.
The route across the North Sea was once the only direct ferry between Scotland and Europe, with both passengers and freight being transported between 2002 and 2010. A freight only service was in operation post 2010 until a fire on board one of the ships halted the service in 2018…until now.
By reinstating this route and opening up an exclusive connection between Scotland and mainland Europe, business owners will be able to send their goods more easily to a larger market.
Whilst air travel for importing and exporting goods is faster, having them shipped by sea is more environmentally friendly so for businesses looking to become greener, the ferry link is the perfect way to bridge the gap as well as helping to keep carbon footprints lower.
Rosyth is also home to one of the sites included in Forth Port’s bid for a Green Freeport, along with Grangemouth and Leith, which could generate up to 50,000 jobs as well as unlocking £6billion in investment for the country.
This is all incredibly positive news for haulage, but there could also be huge benefits for our tourism sector, as talks are underway about making the Rosyth to Zeebrugge line available to passengers once again.
We are all aware why tourism has suffered over the last few years, so bringing back this new route for European visitors would generate some much-needed footfall for the industry.
While Scotland is already a popular destination with many Europeans, the possibility of reinstating a ferry route for passengers is likely to appeal to those looking to be more eco-friendly by cutting down on their air miles.
The way air travel is going at the moment, it wouldn’t surprise me if people continue to look for alternative ways to explore the continent in the coming months and years and going by ferry is likely be higher on people’s travel preferences. I truly hope this plan comes to fruition.
Overall, this is a brilliant opportunity for our nation however, the popular adage of ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ feels very apt.
This route has already been halted once and, with all the positives that I have discussed regarding the link, it would be a real blow to Scotland’s economy for it to disappear once again.
Businesses should be researching the benefits of using water transportation sooner rather than later.
The commercial interests the vessel operators have in making the route work should hopefully ensure there are robust plans in place for the maintenance of the ferries so a repeat of the reliability issues that state-owned CalMac has been facing with their Islands service can be avoided.
All in all, this should be a nautical but nice development for Scotland!
Strike Fallout: Scotland’s Rail Network Crisis Hits Public and Economy
Rail strikes have dominated the headlines over the last week, with industrial action across the UK bringing our rail network to a standstill.
Around 80% of services in Scotland were suspended and further disruption spilled over into non-strike days, causing untold disruption to members of the public.
Commuters have been unable to get to work and while some were able to work from home, it’s not a luxury everyone has, and the effect on those in jobs who simply do not get paid if they’re unable to turn up has been devastating.
While this is dire for the individuals concerned, I’m also worried about the knock-on effect the strike action has had on our economy, particularly the hospitality industry which can ill afford a loss of earnings right now following the disastrous last two years.
People have been unable to travel for leisure purposes, meaning concert venues, restaurants, bars, and hotels have all taken a huge blow. Losses for the sector are predicted to be in excess of £50m.
Of course, mass disruption is exactly what union bosses want when taking industrial action, but I find it difficult to sympathise when I see the hammering our economy is taking as a result and the impact on people trying to go about their daily lives.
Also, at a time when there’s so much pressure on us to make more environmentally friendly choices such as taking public transport, it’s disappointing that so many will be forced to make car journeys that could otherwise have been avoided.
It’s clear that a resolution is urgently required as this level of disruption cannot continue to hang over us as a constant threat from unions.
It Made Me Laugh
It’s often said that Scotland’s natural beauty is too good to be true and that statement has been taken to a whole new level with a video recently posted to social media.
A clip of the stunning Buachaille Etive Mor in the Highlands was shared on Scotland Uncovered’s TikTok page, showing deer grazing and ducks flying, all set against the breath-taking backdrop.
The scene proved so idyllic that social media users flocked to the comments to accuse the individuals behind the video of faking it. Comparisons to “a real life Bob Ross painting” were amongst some of the messages from people from around the world claiming the footage was simply too perfect to be real.
We’re lucky to live somewhere so scenic that people quite literally can’t believe it’s real.
It Made Me Weep
The NHS workforce continues to face enormous pressure in the wake of the pandemic and care workers are the latest group to hit the headlines for the challenging circumstances they’re up against.
Healthcare chiefs are concerned that staff shortages in social care could overwhelm Scotland’s health service, and the increased demand on services is pushing at-home care and care home services to potentially dangerous limits.
The news closely follows calls for pay rises for care workers after concerns were raised about rising fuel costs meaning some staff are now essentially paying to go to work.
It’s clear that change is urgently required to solve the issue. Innovative, new ways of thinking are needed to attract more workers into the profession and to make it worth their while to stay.
