ANALYSIS

All James Bond fans have heard of Moonraker.

The earth-threatening space shuttle came to a rather abrupt and spectacular end in 1979 thanks to Roger Moore.

But almost four decades on a new Moonraker project is looming on the horizon and this time it comes with a payload of potential new jobs and investment for Dundee.

Like many of the best things in life, the project name may have been decided in the pub by ODS chief executive Lee Johnson and his lawyer.

But this is far more than a back-ofa-beer-mat plan.

Plans for Moonraker have evolved over the past 14 months and, if built, the semi-submersible will be among the most technologically advanced offshore heavy lift vessels anywhere in the world.

The mere fact ODS has identified Dundee as the home port for this 150-metre giant is a huge coup and shows the city’s decom credentials are growing.

But Dundee has seen offshore jobs promised before and not realised.

That’s why, for now at least, I will view this ambitious and exciting project with caution.

However, if ODS can make good on their vision, then what they are offering is a potential game changer for the industrial sector in Dundee.

In the current context with Michelin’s closure on the cards, it is the shot in the arm this city needs.