Scrabster well placed to seize new opportunities after £18.9m pier redevelopment
Scrabster's £18.9 million pier redevelopment means the port is ideally placed to seize new opportunities in offshore energy and the cruise-ship market, according to the trust board chairman.
Tom Pottinger was speaking after the new-look St Ola Pier was officially opened and dedicated on Friday. The Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, Lord Thurso, cut the ribbon before invited guests including port users and stakeholders.
It is Scrabster Harbour Trust’s latest major development, with £38.7 million having been invested at the port over the past decade.
Mr Pottinger said: “Scrabster Harbour Trust, through the decades, has invested in the future of the port and local area. Redeveloped multi-user piers, deeper water and better facilities reflect the needs of our current and potential future customers.
“Further investment to improve port capacity positions Scrabster to seize the business opportunities arising in areas such as offshore energy and cruise.
"The works have been constructed against a challenging environment during the pandemic. Completion has been achieved on time and under budget, which is a feather in the cap of all parties involved”.
The redeveloped pier offers a total of 500 metres of deep-water berthing, with a new outer berthing face capable of accommodating vessels of up to 250 metres in length.
The quay provides a water depth of at least nine metres on the outer berth and 7.5 metres on the inner berths. The total deck area extends to 9000 square metres, including a dedicated heavy lift area.
The construction works contractor was RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd, with RPS Ireland Ltd providing project management services. Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) provided grant assistance for the project, with the funding package also including Clydesdale Bank borrowing facilities.
David Peattie, chief executive officer of the NDA, said: “We are incredibly proud of our involvement in the redevelopment of the St Ola Pier. The opening of the pier is a huge milestone and a great example of our socio-economic strategy in action.
“I believe that this project can help Scrabster harbour develop a diverse range of new opportunities and make a significant contribution to the long-term sustainability of the local economy.”
Eann Sinclair, HIE area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, said: “Scrabster will have a pivotal role to play in the success of offshore wind and in our area’s role in supporting the transition to net-zero.
"Our approval of up to £3 million for the St Ola pier project represented our single biggest investment in Caithness and Sutherland for several years. This reflects the importance we attach to the development of infrastructure that supports future economic opportunities and job creation for the north.
"I am delighted we have been able to support this timely and well-managed project and look forward to continuing to work with our partners to make sure these benefits are realised.”