Port of Cromarty Firth to share details of expansion plan
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DETAILS of the multimillion-pound expansion of the Port of Cromarty Firth will be unveiled to the public this week.
The time frame behind the port’s ongoing £30 million transformation, and efforts to grow its cruise ship trade and work within the energy sector, will all be discussed at an exhibition in Invergordon tomorrow.
The event, which will run from 2pm to 7pm, is part of the port’s efforts to provide regular progress updates on how construction of the quayside expansion is going.
Work began last month and is expected to run until March next year, ahead of the port’s planned involvement with assembling turbines for the Moray East Offshore Windfarm.
A spokesman said: “The port has been diversifying its offering over the past few years, to appeal to a wider range of business sectors and ensure we can create jobs and economic opportunities for the Highland region into the future.
“This has included expanding from our traditional support for the North Sea oil and gas sector into renewable energy and cruise tourism.
“The port has established itself as the waterborne tourist gateway to the Highlands. This positioning means that Invergordon receives more cruise passengers than any other port in Scotland, generating over £17 million in tourist spend and hundreds of jobs within the wider Highland economy in 2018. This will increase to £18 million this year.”
The expansion was triggered by the successful award of a £10 million contract from the Moray East Offshore Windfarm to use the site to assemble its turbines.
The exhibition, which will be held at the port offices in Shore Road, will display the construction programme and timings of the expansion project and are welcome.
AN experienced solicitor has joined the board of the port.
Rhona Harper, who has worked for more than 24 years as a solicitor, is a procurement law specialist, experienced in developing and implementing innovative public private partnerships.
For 18 years, she was a partner of the Scottish law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn during which team she managed a team of solicitors and support staff and led the firm’s Government and Public Sector Group.
The board meets regularly to review the PoCF’s business and future plans. They are not owners or shareholders but manage the organisation which reinvests all its profits into the development of the Trust Port.
Bob Buskie, chief executive of the PoCF, said: “The port is absolutely thrilled to bring Rhona’s vast experience to our board. We are lucky to have such a strong board that works well together. Rhona’s predecessor, Douglas Russell, will be a hard act to follow but we know that Rhona is up to the task.”
Port of Cromarty Firth board members can only serve a maximum of nine years.
That however can be extended to 12 years if they serve as chairperson.
They must be reappointed every three years if they wish to remain on the board.
