Backing grows for Cromarty Firth freeport status
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The call for the Cromarty Firth to join the new generation of freeports planned by government is growing, with leading logistical and marine support group PSG Marine & Logistics the latest to give its support to the initiative.
Based at the deep water facilities at the Port of Cromarty Firth, PSG Marine & Logistics joins the partnership of private, public and academic sector organisations including the Port of Cromarty Firth, Global Energy Group, Port of Inverness, The University of the Highlands and Islands, and The Highland Council on the Opportunity Cromarty Firth steering group.
Their ambition is to establish the Cromarty Firth as one of up to 10 freeports planned by the UK Government. The Scottish Government has also backed of the freeport initiative and is encouraging Scottish ports to achieve "green port" status, focusing on fair work, sustainable and net zero priorities.
Supporters believe that a Cromarty Firth freeport would attract considerable inward investment into the Highlands, providing high quality, skilled jobs and business opportunities for the next 50 years.
Steve Clark, managing director at PSG Marine & Logistics said: “The Cromarty Firth is uniquely positioned to offer the perfect location as a freeport, bringing with it the opportunity to maximise job creation and levels of economic growth across the Highlands and Scotland that has not been seen since oil boom in the '70’s.
“Opportunity Cromarty Firth already has the support of the area’s leading organisations, and PSG Marine & Logistics are delighted to join the steering group as we bid to make this dream a reality.”
Bob Buskie, chief executive of Port of Cromarty Firth - speaking on behalf of Opportunity Cromarty Firth - said: “We are delighted that PSG Marine & Logistics has chosen to join the Opportunity Cromarty Firth steering group and we welcome them onboard as we continue to push for the Cromarty Firth’s freeport bid.
“Their arrival is welcome, as we continue to work alongside our partners from industry, academia and the public sector to ensure our prosperous ambitions for the region and Scotland are realised with the formation of a freeport.
“The Cromarty Firth has an incredible opportunity on its doorstep, with the proposed acceleration in offshore wind deployment. Our ambitions include an advanced manufacturing plant, a serial production facility for floating offshore wind structures and the creation of a hydrogen hub in the area. These opportunities combined would be transformational for the whole of Scotland and would create sustainable jobs and business opportunities. Through our collective assets and resources, we will work to ensure the benefits of implementing a freeport in our region are realised.”
