Stricken vessel features in port’s decommissioning plans

A redeveloped Highland port is aiming to use a stricken cargo ship to showcase its credentials for oil and gas decommissioning.

An emergency was declared in March when the Norwegian-owned MV Kaami ran aground in the Minch, in the north-west of Scotland, on a journey from Ireland to Sweden.

The eight Russian crew members were airlifted to safety but a salvage team had to be deployed to prevent pollution and, after deeming the ship beyond repair, Kishorn Port was selected as the site to break it apart.

The opportunity “came out of the blue” according to director Colin Ortlepp, but it acts as a good chance to show what the redeveloped port can do as it aspires to be a main decommissioning base for North Sea installations.

Aberdeen-based John Lawrie Metals has been subcontracted to break apart the ship for recycling and the team is expected to arrive at Kishorn for the work within the next week.

Mr Ortlepp said: “The vessel was declared a constructive loss, essentially non-repairable.

The insurers then looked around for a place of safety to take her and Kishorn Port was the closest port to do that.

“This vessel has been an opportunity that has come along really out of the blue but we have wider aspirations for decommissioning oil and gas structures such as FPSOs, topsides and jackets.”

Insurers on behalf of Norwegian firm Misje Bulk

AS, which owns the vessel, selected Kishorn Port Limited (KPL) for the job, which has involved opening one of the dry dock’s huge gates for the first time.

Having been a construction site during the 1970s oil boom, it lay largely dormant for 20 years before KPL, a joint venture between Ferguson Transport and quarry firm Leiths, secured permission for redevelopment in 2013.

The stricken Kaami was recovered to Kishorn Port