The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Container port could put Fife at centre of economy
DEVELOPMENT: Babcock seeking contractors for first stage of £85m Rosyth project
Developing Rosyth’s container port is a potential step change for the Scottish economy, according to a leading Fife politician.
Babcock is currently seeking contractors for the initial stages of the £85 million project, recognised in the Scottish Government’s national planning framework 2.
That set out a vision for Scotland for 2030 and listed major projects identified by the Scottish Government as of vital national significance.
Fife Council’s deputy leader Lesley Laird said: “The regeneration of Rosyth waterfront remains a key priority for Fife Council and we have committed to work in partnership with the three principal landowners in promoting the unique capabilities of the area known as Gateway Rosyth.
“The development of the Rosyth international container terminal is potentially a step change project for both Fife and indeed Scottish economies and we welcome another milestone in the project with progression of the marine licence from Marine Scotland dredging and construction activities.”
Mrs Laird, who is the council’s economy and planning spokeswoman, said the local authority is continuing its discussions with Babcock International in ensuring Fife’s businesses can benefit from the development where possible, including possible expansions of the region’s rail network.
She added: “We are looking to see development and investment in Fife’s rail network and with our support of the Levenmouth Rail Link, the Stag (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) for the Dunfermline-Alloa line and the Dunfermline rail halt, we will naturally want to explore other opportunities that this project may bring such as the greater use of the rail line into the port area.”
Mrs Laird’s words come as Babcock, the dockyard operators, seek to appoint contractors for the first phase of the project, worth £38m.
Expected to create hundreds of jobs, new quay walls need to be designed and constructed, while an approach channel needs to be dredged to allow construction work on the terminal to be carried out.
The complex is to be created at a site once part of the RD57 project, an area at the dockyard where Trident nuclear submarines were to be refitted.
However, the site has been dormant for more than 20 years after the contracts were awarded to the Navy’s base at Devonport in Plymouth instead.
Once completed, the terminal will be able to receive thousands of shipping containers from around the world and result in a dramatic increase in industrial shipping using the Firth of Forth.
A Babcock spokesperson said: “As part of the necessary regulatory requirements, Babcock is currently in an application process with Marine Scotland to be able to undertake dredging and marine construction work in advance of the development of the Rosyth International Container Terminal.
“The new facility is planned to enhance the current infrastructure at Babcock’s Rosyth facilities and will represent an important investment in the economy of Fife.”