Stornoway Port Authority has awarded a £49m contract for construction of its new deep water terminal to building and civil engineering company McLaughlin and Harvey.
Work on the transformational project at the Outer Hebrides’ main port is expected to start in the coming weeks and be completed before the end of next year.
The deep water terminal will provide modern facilities for offshore wind and other sectors and its design will enable it to be adapted for a wide range of future uses.
The main berth will be able to accommodate offshore wind farm vessels as well as large cruise liners boost the islands’ renewable energy as well as tourism industries.
Development of the terminal will also increase the capabilities and flexibility of the Arnish fabrication yard at Stornoway.
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.
The trust port also acknowledged the important involvement of the land interests, including Crown Estate Scotland and the Stornoway Trust.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The development of the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal will be a game changer for the local economy and for Scotland’s aspirations to grow our renewables and cruise sectors.
“The Scottish Government has long been supportive of this project, which will create jobs and multiple economic benefits for the Hebrides.”
Joanna Peteranna, HIE area manager in the Outer Hebrides, said: “It’s a really exciting project that will have positive impacts well beyond Stornoway, helping to diversify and strengthen the wider economy of the Outer Hebrides.
“The 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.
“When all these elements are taken together, we believe this has the potential to be a genuinely transformational project for the islands.”