The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Global in new bid for port status
Industry: Move would give firm greater control of facilities at their Nigg Energy Park
The Global Energy Group has launched a fresh bid to gain powers from the Scottish Government to run its Nigg Energy Park facility as a port.
The energy industry services company said there was a “compelling business case” behind its move to apply to Transport Scotland for a Harbour Empowerment Order (HEO) for the Cromarty Firth site.
But last night the statutory body that controls the firth suggested the move was unnecessary and would not, as Global predicts, bring new jobs and prosperity to the area.
The Cromarty Firth Port Authority (CFPA) said the company’s action had come as a “total surprise”.
Global’s application comes less than two years after its bid for a Harbour Revision Order (HRO), which would have given it greater powers, was rejected by ministers.
It had been strongly opposed by the Invergordonbased CFPA, which runs the Easter Ross town’s harbour and has responsibility for marine activities in the firth’s waters.
The HEO would give Nigg port status and Global increased management powers over the energy park’s quaysides and facilities.
But, unlike the HRO, it would not give them control of the waters next to the facility at the entrance to the firth.
Global’s communications director, Alastair Kennedy, the bid was as a “natural progression” in its business strategy.
He said that Nigg was now one of the busiest ports in Scotland following a recent £50million upgrade.
He added: “Given our current position and outlook, our application for port status and provision of certain rights under the HEO is the logical step for us to take at this time.”
The CFPA was unaware of the application when
“Global have not informed us of plans, so this is a surprise”
contacted by the Press and Journal yesterday.
Chief executive Bob Buskie said: “Global have not informed us of their plans, so this news has come as a surprise.
“We are in regular contact with Global and, as the statutory authority responsible for the firth, we would have hoped to have been one of the first to be informed of their plans.
“An HEO is not required in order for Global to improve, maintain and manage their energy park infrastructure. An HEO does not of itself create jobs or wealth in the local economy.”
A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “We have held an initial informal discussion with Global Energy Group about a potential Harbour Order and are in receipt of an early draft for comment.”