'Nigg harbour bid news to us' says Invergordon-based port authority
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A FRESH bid for port status at Nigg by the operators Global Energy Group has come as a “total surprise” to the Port of Cromarty Firth.
The Ross-shire Journal revealed last week that Global has instructed its solicitors to lodge an application with Transport Scotland for a Harbour Empowerment Order (HEO) for the company’s Nigg Energy Park.
If successful, the HEO will provide Nigg with port status and grant powers to improve, maintain and manage existing port assets.
Bob Buskie, chief executive of Port of Cromarty Firth, has reacted to the news by saying Global’s new application was unexpected, despite regular talks.
“Global have not informed us of their plans, so this news came as a total surprise to us,” he said.
“We are in regular contact with Global and, as the statutory authority responsible for the firth, we would have hoped to have been one of the first to be informed of their plans. We do not know the details of their proposal, but Global made a previous attempt to create a private port.
“It was deemed unlawful and rejected by the Scottish Government. We have written to Global seeking clarification of their objectives.”
However, he went on to suggest: “A HEO is not required in order for Global to improve, maintain and manage their energy park infrastructure. An HEO does not of itself create jobs or wealth in the local economy.
“Many sizeable Scottish Ports including Aberdeen, Lerwick, Peterhead, Montrose and Cromarty Firth are bodies known as Trust Ports. Whilst private companies – such as Global Energy Group – make a profit that is distributed for the benefit of shareholders, a trust port makes a surplus, which is reinvested back into the port operation for the benefit of stakeholders.
“Beneficiaries include local communities, regional businesses, and local and national government.”
Transport Scotland has confirmed that it has held informal discussions with Global over the proposal and has received an early draft of the company’s plans.
Global, the largest private employer in the Highlands, has called the HEO application a natural progression in their business strategy, providing further employment opportunities and injecting wealth into the local economy.
It is in the process of informing relevant key stakeholders to advise them of its plan, before going into a formal consultation period.
The order would give Global and Nigg Energy Park increased management powers over the quays, wharfs, enclosed dock and adjoining land area at Nigg, including the ability to maintain and improve the facility through development rights powers, set reasonable charges on facility users, control goods and hazardous substances and manage the security of the port area, and provide the right to board vessels moored alongside the port facility or remove vessels, goods and vehicles within the Port of Nigg.
The application will not give Global any power or rights over the waters within the Cromarty Firth, which will remain under the control of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority.
Global previously launched an unsuccessful application to create a new private harbour authority at Nigg in late 2014 by applying for a Harbour Revision Order.
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