The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Montrose Port backed with £5.4m funding
Hopes major upgrades will attract larger ships to Angus harbour
Montrose Port Authority has received a £5.4 million funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland to support its extensive redevelopment work.
The work aims to enhance the port’s capacity, increasing the maximum potential size of berthing vessels from 12,000 to 18,000 deadweight tonnage.
Central to the Montrose Port Authority (MPA) master plan is its objective to deliver efficient, costeffective and environmentally-friendly solutions.
The redevelopment is due to result in significant environmental benefits, removing an estimated 1.26 million tonnes of freight from roads and 86,000 HGV lorry journeys.
The latest funding will allow the ambitious growth project — which has already received £1.5m in Scottish Government investment — to continue.
MPA chief executive Nik Scott-Gray said: “The port’s quayside redevelopment is a fundamental element of our master plan and growth strategy process.
“Due to be completed by summer 2019, this work will enable us to accommodate larger vessels and encourage environmentally friendly modes of transport.
“By directing investment towards key infrastructure projects, we are building upon our current oil and gas, general cargo and recent cruise ship activity, and continue to contribute substantially to the economic growth of the surrounding area, as well as that of Scotland as a whole.”
Since the 1970s and the discovery of North Sea oil and gas, MPA has provided support, logistics and services to the energy and general cargo industries.
Ken Anderson, relationship manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Montrose Port Authority is a key success story for the north-east economy.
“Its most recent tranche of investment will ensure it continues to thrive and meet ongoing demand for crucial North Sea oil, renewables, decommissioning and other commercial shipping sectors.
“We look forward to seeing the renovation of the port’s berths, which will enable the port to remain competitive, and allow the regional economy to continue on its upwards trajectory by supporting hundreds of jobs both directly and indirectly.”
The Angus port has seen significant investment in the past decade.
In 2011 an £8m deep water berth project was completed, which involved the removal of an old, collapsed berth.
The latest project includes the design and construction of a new 180-metre quay wall, including a 30-metre wide concrete hardstanding area.