Plans for a new passenger and freight ferry linking Aberdeen with Iceland are being explored.
The proposed route would connect the Granite City with Seyðisfjörður on Iceland’s east coast, with Port of Aberdeen officials already holding talks with the Múlaþing municipality.
Port of Aberdeen chief executive Bob Sanguinetti said: “A regular service between Aberdeen and Iceland would certainly be of interest to the port.”
The idea was raised by Múlaþing councillor Helgi Hlynur Ásgrímsson, with mayor Dagmar Ýr Stefánsdóttir later meeting Aberdeen port officials.
An unnamed ferry operator is also reported to have shown interest, although discussions remain at an early stage.
A key issue will be whether there is enough freight traffic to make the route commercially viable, with passenger numbers alone unlikely to support a regular service.
Border and customs arrangements would also have to be agreed because Iceland is part of the Schengen Area while the UK is not.
Port of Aberdeen
Seyðisfjörður already handles international ferry traffic through the Norröna service, which connects Iceland with the Faroe Islands and Denmark.
There have also been calls for any future route to stop in Orkney. Highlands and Islands Green MSP Kristopher Leask said the service could strengthen Scotland’s links with the Nordic countries and create new opportunities for tourism and trade.
The proposal comes as Aberdeen expands its maritime tourism business, with the port welcoming a record 54,000 cruise passengers during the 2026 season.
Scotland currently has no direct international passenger ferry service, making an Aberdeen-Iceland route an interesting addition to the current transport infrastructure if the plans progress.
A passenger service to Seyðisfjörður would be Scotland’s only scheduled international passenger ferry link beyond Northern Ireland and restore a direct passenger sea connection between Scotland and Nordic Europe.
Aberdeen has a direct freight ferry connection with Norway and The Netherlands.