New Lewis cruise ship port could create 200 jobs
More than 200 jobs are expected to be created through the development of a deep water terminal in the Outer Hebrides that can accommodate major cruise ships.
The project includes a facility for cruise ships up to 360 metres in length, a new deep water berth to cater for larger cargo vessels and development land for a range of uses such as industrial processes and decommissioning.
Preparation work will now begin on the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal with Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing confirming £49 million investment from a number of partners to strengthen transport links and support a range of diverse industries in the Western Isles.
He said: “We want our island communities to thrive and this investment to create a deep water terminal at Stornoway will provide infrastructure to support a range of diverse industries and economic activities, ranging from cruises, to energy, to aquaculture and ferries, which will be a tremendous benefit to the Western Isles.
“This transformational project, which will put Storno - way in pole position to take advantage of emerging technologies such as hydrogen, is the culmination of dedicated partnership working between local partners, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Scottish Government to create a development of real value to communities.”
Phase one of the terminal is part of the Stornoway Port Authority’s 20-year masterplan. The authority will now progress the initial stage in the tender process. Following that, the tender is expected to be published late February and construction is anticipated to commence in late summer 2021.
Murdo Murray, chairman of Stornoway Port Authority (SPA), said: “This significant investment is tremendous news for Stornoway, the Outer Hebrides and Scotland.
“We believe it will bring massive new revenue streams to the port, create new employment in the area for decades to come, and go a long way to helping Scotland reach its net zero carbon emissions target by 2045.
“This investment is the culmination of years of work on this project and we could not have done it without the backing of the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Crown Estate Scotland and the Stornoway Trust.”
Alistair Dodds, chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “We have worked closely with SPA to suppor t their masterplan, which we believe will bring about transformational change for the Outer Hebrides.
“The benefits of this development will be far reaching. It will strengthen transport links bet ween the islands and the mainland. It will significantly enhance the islands’ potential in terms of the develop - ing marine economy, which includes renewable energy, oil and gas decommissioning and tourism, and it will create many valuable local jobs.
“This in turn will help attract more people and business to the islands, stimulate wider economic activity and strengthen community resilience.”
Councillor Roddie Mackay added: “Our ambition is that the Deep Water Terminal will be a driver and catalyst for a series of new activities such as the creation of a hydrogen-driven energy hub and as a future base for renewable energy deployments west of the Hebrides.”