Stornoway’s new deep water terminal project includes dredging

Stornoway Port Authority and McLaughlin & Harvey have signed a contract for the construction of the port’s new multi-purpose Deep Water Terminal.

According to the contractor, work on the transformational project at the Outer Hebrides’ main port is expected to start in the coming weeks, while completion of works is expected by the end of 2023.

The Port Authority chair, Murdo Murray, said that signing of the £49 million contract signals the beginning of works on “an historic project which has the potential to truly transform the economy of the Outer Hebrides.”

“The Deep Water Terminal will open a new gateway to the islands for a wide range of sectors and become a catalyst for significant further development here. It is already attracting high levels of interest from potential customers,” Mr Murray added. “McLaughlin and Harvey are highly experienced in this kind of work and we look forward to working with them on this project.”

John Mariner, McL&H’s Contracts Director (Civil Engineering), commented, “McLauglin & Harvey is delighted to have been selected by Stornoway Port Authority to deliver the construction of the new Deep Water Terminal at Stornoway. We bring the experience from our ever-expanding expertise in marine works and look forward to commencing works in the near future.”

As reported by the officials, the Deep Water Terminal will provide modern facilities for a variety of sectors, including the energy and transport industries, and its design will enable it to be adapted for a wide range of future uses.

As well as being able to accommodate on and offshore wind farm vessels and support other energy sector activity, its main berth will be suitable for the largest cruise liners, which will help boost the islands’ important tourism industry.

Development of the terminal will also increase the capabilities and flexibility of the Arnish fabrication yard at Stornoway.

Initial work to develop the new facility will include piling activity, blasting of 750,000n tonnes of rock and dredging.