If proposals for a new ferry line between Rosyth and Groningen are fruitful, there would be advantages for Scottish exporters and British roads.
New ferries have a capacity of up to 200 freight vehicles, in addition to 500 cars and passengers. This would offer a Scottish exports a welcome alternative route.
Most Scottish freight exports destined for Europe usually travels by truck to Dover, or other ports in the east and south of England. This puts strain on the main trunk routes of the British Isles and means southern ports are at full capacity making delays more likely if there are problems with infrastructure or weather.
Scotland exports hundreds of millions of bottles of whisky annually, worth an estimated 4.36 billion pounds ($5.29 billion) in 2018, with about 30% of that going to Europe.
