Stornoway Port Authority has awarded the \u00a349million contract for construction of its new multi-purpose Deep Water Terminal to building and civil engineering firm McLaughlin and Harvey.<\/p>\n
Work on the transformational project at the Outer Hebrides\u2019 main port is expected to start in the coming weeks and be completed before the end of next year.<\/p>\n
The Deep Water Terminal will provide modern facilities for a variety of sectors, including the energy and transport industries, and its design will enable it to be adapted for a wide range of future uses.<\/p>\n
As well as being able to accommodate on and offshore wind farm vessels and support other energy sector activity, its main berth will be suitable for the largest cruise liners, which will help boost the islands\u2019 important tourism industry.<\/p>\n
Development of the terminal will also increase the capabilities and flexibility of the Arnish fabrication yard at Stornoway.<\/p>\n
The Port Authority has worked closely with the Scottish Government, the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar (CnES), the local authority for the Western Isles, over the past four years to advance the project.\u00a0 The trust port also acknowledged the important involvement of the land interests, including Crown Estate Scotland and the Stornoway Trust.<\/p>\n
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:\u00a0\u201cThe development of the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal will be a game changer for the local economy and for Scotland\u2019s aspirations to grow our renewables and cruise sectors.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Scottish Government has long been supportive of this project, which will create jobs and multiple economic benefits for the Hebrides.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe terminal is a key element of the Islands Growth Deal and will enable cruise traffic and expansion of the offshore renewables supply chain in the wake of the ScotWind offshore wind leasing round, as well as providing infrastructure for a range of other potential activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Chair of the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal Advisory Board I am pleased to see work now getting underway and this important project taking a significant step forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/em>David McIntosh, associate director at the SFT, added: \u201cWe have supported Stornoway Port Authority and the Scottish Government in the innovative funding mechanism for this flagship project where our infrastructure expertise and economic advice has helped unlock substantial inclusive economic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n Stornoway Port Authority chair, Murdo Murray, said the signing of this contract signalled the imminent start of \u201can historic project which has the potential to truly transform the economy of the Outer Hebrides.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Murray continued: \u201cThe Deep Water Terminal will open a new gateway to the islands for a wide range of sectors and become a catalyst for significant further development here. It is already attracting high levels of interest from potential customers.<\/p>\n \u201cA huge amount of work has already gone into turning this vital development into a reality and we are very grateful to all our partners for their continuing support.<\/p>\n \u201cMcLaughlin and Harvey are highly experienced in this kind of work and we look forward to working with them on this project.<\/p>\n \u201cThe award coincides with my retirement after 10 years as a board member and I cannot imagine a more satisfying end to my time at the Port Authority.\u201d<\/p>\n CnES is providing significant loan funding for the Deep Water Port development.<\/p>\n Roddie Mackay, Leader of CnES, said: \u201cThis is a significant milestone in this major project for the Western Isles\u00a0and it will be tremendous to see the works progressing.<\/p>\n \u201cThe project has the potential to drive new economic activity, sectoral innovation and the creation of new jobs in Stornoway, Lewis and across the Islands.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Comhairle is delighted to have played a critical role in securing the bulk of funding for the development and looks forward to working with the SPA and other local partners to maximise the economic return for our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Funding was also secured from regional development agency HIE.<\/p>\n Joanna Peteranna, HIE area manager in the Outer Hebrides, said: \u201cThe Deep Water Port is an integral part of the Stornoway Port masterplan. It\u2019s a really exciting project that will have positive impacts well beyond Stornoway, helping to diversify and strengthen the wider economy of the Outer Hebrides.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cruise market is one important aspect. However, this investment will also put the port in a strong position to compete for future opportunities in other sectors, including renewable energy fabrication and aquaculture.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen all these elements are taken together, we believe this has the potential to be a genuinely transformational project for the islands.\u201d<\/p>\n McLaughlin and Harvey is based in Belfast and has offices in Scotland and throughout the UK.<\/p>\n John Mariner, the company\u2019s Contracts Director (Civil Engineering), said: \u201cMcLauglin and Harvey is delighted to have been selected by Stornoway Port Authority to deliver the construction of the new Deep Water Terminal at Stornoway.<\/p>\n \u201cWe bring the experience from our ever-expanding expertise in marine works and look forward to commencing works in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n Initial work to develop the new facility will include piling activity, blasting of 750,000n tonnes of rock and dredging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Stornoway Port Authority has awarded the \u00a349million contract for construction of its new multi-purpose Deep Water Terminal to building and civil engineering firm McLaughlin and Harvey. Work on the transformational project at the Outer Hebrides\u2019 main port is expected to start in the coming weeks and be completed before the end of next year. 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