Scots firms get EU green light for ship deals

Kishorn Port has been confirmed as an EU-approved site for shipbreaking, paving the way for the site to take on new decommissioning work following a multimillion pound extension of drydock facilities.

The Wester Ross facility – operated as a 50-50 joint venture by Ferguson Transport and Leith’s – was awarded approval by the European Commission on Thursday.

Kishorn was admitted alongside Aberdeen-headquartered Dales Marine, which re-applied for approval of its site in Leith, Edinburgh, following the UK’s exit from the EU.

EU rules require ship owners to ensure that ships destined to be recycled are only recycled at ship recycling facilities included in its approved list of facilities. Both companies hope it will allow the ports to bid for larger slices of marine and oil and gas decommissioning work in future. Having worked since 2017 to refurbish and reopen the site’s 160m dry dock, Kishorn Port Limited (KPL) now hopes to further extend the dock to accommodate FPSOs of up to 250m.

A spokesperson for KPL said the group was “delighted” to be added to the approved list.

“This is another important step for the port in its development and expansion plans and will allow us to receive EUflagged floating oil and gas assets and shipping vessels for decommissioning and recycling within our dry dock.

“Our inclusion in the list is a reflection of the high environmental standards Kishorn has as a decommissioning facility and the robustness of our management and control systems.”

Dales Marine Services chief executive Michael Milne said the firm was “really pleased” to receive the news.

He added: “Our Leith site has been providing vessel decommissioning for several years.

“Prior to the UK’s exit from the EU, we were on the European list of ship recycling facilities and reapplied shortly after exiting the EU.

“Having our services re-acknowledged following an application process that involved two independent site audits along with a third and final site inspection by members of the European Commission is good news for Dales Marine.

“The European Commission’s decision to include us ensures that we can continue to support EU-flagged vessels from Leith, Scotland.”

MAKING WAVES: Kishorn Port has won EU approval for lucrative shipbreaking deals.