Plans for a new ferry service linking Aberdeen with Iceland are being explored as the Port of Aberdeen looks to expand its passenger and freight connections with northern Europe.
Port officials have reportedly held talks with representatives of Múlaþing council in eastern Iceland about establishing a route to Seyðisfjörður, with an unnamed ferry operator understood to have expressed interest.
Bob Sanguinetti, chief executive of the Port of Aberdeen, told The Scotsman: “A regular service between Aberdeen and Iceland would certainly be of interest to the port.”
Múlaþing mayor Dagmar Ýr Stefánsdóttir confirmed discussions were at an early stage, with freight demand likely to determine whether the route would be commercially viable.
She said: “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 proposed service could strengthen trade and tourism links between Scotland and Iceland, although no formal agreement has been reached and any new route is likely to be several years away.