New ferry link between Aberdeen and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland proposed
Plan is of north east city’s planned passenger network expansion
A ferry link between Aberdeen and Iceland is being examined as part of the port’s plans to expand its northern Europe passenger and cargo network.
Officials from the Port of Aberdeen have reportedly met with the mayor of Múlaþing, a region in the east of Iceland, to discuss the proposals.
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the Port of Aberdeen, said on Monday: “A regular service between Aberdeen and Iceland would certainly be of interest to the port.”
The port has been looking into expanding its network of cargo and passenger services to and from northern Europe as part of its diversification, he added.
His comments follow an Icelandic media report that talks were being held with Múlaþing council in Iceland over establishing a route to Seyðisfjörður on the country’s east coast.
The Austurfrett website reported: “The mayor of Múlaþing says it is positive that the parties are talking to each other, but expects it to take a few years to get the services up and running.”
The discussions started after Helgi Hlynur Ásgrímsson, of the Left Movement-Green Party on the council, proposed the scheme.
Múlaþing mayor Dagmar Ýr Stefánsdóttir is reported to have met officials from the Port of Aberdeen in August, with an unnamed operator said to be interested in running the route.
Ms Stefánsdóttir said: “It is difficult to maintain a shipping route with only passenger traffic, and freight traffic is the basis of a route like this.
“We have contacted the Icelandic Tourist Board to analyse imports and exports.
“We have an interested party in the conversation, but nothing is formal yet. One of the things he needs to do is talk to the main exporters in our region about whether they can use this route.
“It's not easy to create a new shipping route. Much of the talks are still at the conceptual stage, but as long as people are talking, I'm optimistic. We sense external interest and it's good that things are moving, but this will definitely take a few years.”
The mayor said Scotland being outside the Schengen border-free travel area also had to be considered.
Scottish Greens Highlands and Islands MSP Kristopher Leask said: “Exploring a ferry link between Aberdeen and Iceland is a welcome opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s connections with our Nordic neighbours, with the potential of opening up new possibilities for tourism, trade and travel without flying.
“The Scottish Greens have long supported expanding international ferry links, and as this proposal develops, I would like to see serious consideration given to a stop in Orkney.
“There are long-standing connections between Orkney and the Arctic, and this would be a great addition to our connections northwards.”
Aberdeen handled a record 54,000 cruise ship visitors last year - about half the number who visit Seyðisfjörður.
A ferry link between Iceland, the Faroes and Denmark called at Shetland until 2007.
News of the potential ferry link between Aberdeen and Iceland comes a month after plans for a Rosyth to Dunkirk ferry were scrapped amid Forth Ports concerns over its long-term viability.
Scotland’s sole international ferry link, between the Fife port and Zeebrugge in Belgium, ended in 2018.
The Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency declined to comment on the plans.
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