The latest stage of work in the next phase of a multi-million pound development to enhance facilities at the Port of Cromarty Firth is underway.
Work on the reclamation of nine acres of seabed and the construction of a new deep-water berth, featuring a 154m long jetty capable of docking the largest vessels in operation in the Oil & Gas industry, commenced in February 2014.
Now, the most significant step in the £24 million development, which will open up new markets and business opportunities at the Port, is transforming the shape of the coastline.
Around 500,000 tonnes of sand dredged from the seabed within the Cromarty Firth by neighboring company and Port stakeholder, Global Energy Group (GEG), is being deposited within the construction site at Invergordon to form the foundations of the new reclaimed land mass.
The re-use of half a million tonnes of waste material from the seabed around GEG’s Nigg Energy Park, has a significant environmental benefit as it will no longer be dumped out at sea. The sand was dredged by GEG as part of a separate development project at Nigg.
Bob Buskie, chief executive of Port of Cromarty Firth was positive about the progress being made and the benefits of partnership working. He said: “ We remain on schedule to complete by the summer. The enhancement to our existing facilities and boost to capacity will allow us to open up a wider business offering, not just within the Oil & Gas industry but to the growing off-shore energy market.”
“ The recycling of half a million tonnes of surplus dredge materials from Nigg is a solid example of the strength of partnership working. The mutual benefits in terms of the environment, the economy, cost and time saving cannot be underestimated and proves the importance and value of our role as a Trust Port. ”
The main contractor carrying out the work on the land reclamation is McLaughlin & Harvey, along with two sub-contractors, Boskalis and local civil engineering company, DFL.
Work is planned for completion in August 2015.
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