WORK is set to begin next week on a £42.2million expansion project at a Wester Ross port.
The expanded facilities could attract projects with the potential to create up to 1500 jobs once the port is fully developed, HES has said.
Kishorn Port was used in the 1970s for the construction of the Ninian Central oil production platform, which at the time was the world's largest floating concrete structure and has one of the largest openings of any dry dock facility in Europe.
The investment forms part of the Scottish Government’s commitment of up to £500m over five years to develop ports and offshore wind energy supply chain.
Construction work on the project is scheduled to start on June 16, creating 84 jobs for up to 18 months. Investors hope the port will play a key role in delivery of offshore wind projects.
Investment of up to £24m in the project by regional development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) was announced by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, last week.
Kishorn Port Limited (KPL) director, Alasdair Ferguson, said: “With a quarry on-site, Kishorn Port is ideally suited for manufacturing of concrete floating offshore wind sub-structures. This Phase 1a expansion project will enable us to provide full integration, with laydown, marshalling and assembly in the long-term.
“The development opens Kishorn to new market opportunities and we are receiving strong expressions of interest to utilise the enlarged dry dock area, along with the additional laydown space, for floating offshore and decommissioning projects. As well as Scotland, our key target markets are the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea.”
Ferguson continued: “Importantly, this project will provide the catalyst for the support and creation of jobs within Wester Ross and the wider Highlands, benefiting communities across the area.
“This is another very significant milestone in the continuing development of Kishorn Port and we are grateful to Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government for their support.”
The principal contractor for the project is RJ McLeod, based in Scotland, with offices in Dingwall and a long-established reputation in the Highlands.
Supporting services are also being delivered by Scottish firms: marine consulting civil engineers, Wallace Stone; environmental consultants, Affric, and; project management consultants, Leapmoor.
