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Stornoway Port Authority is consulting on its master plan which identifies various projects which would boost facilities for ferries, cruise ships, renewables and oil exploration.
If it comes to fruition the plans could dramatically improve Stornoway’s economic future.
The first phase of proposals is estimated at approximately £66 million.
It includes creating a £50 million deep water facility at Arnish on the south east of the harbour.
Installing a new marine at Newton and redeveloping the Goat Island boatyard could cost £10 million.
Other important improvements to facilities in the harbour, such as pontoons for the fishermen, landscaping, and ferry access road improvements are also included.
The harbour board said this first piece of work is “absolutely essential to the future of the port and a major driver for the island economy.”
The deep water facility is the clear priority for the body because it would address many of the port’s immediate needs, such as a large berth for renewables, an offshore servicing base, a cruise berth, and a new linkspan / freight ferry berth.
A deep water facility would enable growth in the cruise sector by allowing the larger ships, which currently bring passengers ashore by tender, to berth alongside.
It would also make the port more attractive to a greater number of cruise ship operators, and could eventually bring up to an additional £4 million a year into the local economy. The new facility would also provide bulk cargo handling and storage facilities, and the ability to relocate the oil terminal and storage tanks out of the centre of Stornoway.
The boatyard at Goat Island carries out repairs and maintenance on fishing boats
and leisure craft, but needs additional capability such as a covered slipway and
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Newton Bay Marina would be established on the northern side of Goat Island with some limited dredging, reclamation works and the building of a short breakwater. It would have around 75 berths and associated onshore facilities, nearly doubling Stornoway’s capacity.
The 80 berths in the marina at Cromwell Street quay are already operating at full capacity during the summer months.
Other proposals are creating a lagoon between Cromwell Street quay and the YM bridge. It would be formed by a tidal sill, topped with walking access into the castle grounds, and would provide a good sheltered environment for youth activities such as dinghy training and canoeing.
The harbour raised other possibilities, in the future once earlier developments have reached full potential, to build a third marina in Stornoway, in Sandwick Bay.
All the options are up for discussion during a public consultation.
Alex Macleod, Stornoway Port Authority chief executive, said: “This consultation process is important for the development of our port masterplan and we encourage the community to get involved in the process. A lot of research and engagement with key stakeholders has been progressed to get to this stage, and this public consultation is the final part of the process.”
“The port must update what is generally 100-
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29 November 2016