FARRANS Construction has completed works on the build of the Port of Nigg’s new East Quay.
Measuring 225m long and 50m wide, it increases the port facility’s deep water quayside capacity to over 1,200m.
Described as a ‘game-changer’ for the Port of Nigg, the new quay is set to allow it to service ‘multiple’ large scale energy sector projects simultaneously and ensure the port facility has the required infrastructure in place to accommodate the demands for future floating offshore wind sector opportunities.
Speaking about the unveiling of the new quay, which has welcomed its first vessel, the Boa Sub C, which is loading out structures fabricated at Nigg for the oil and gas industry, Rory Gunn, facilities director, said, “Our new East Quay helps us better service our existing customer’s needs, in the renewables, oil and gas, and nuclear sectors, and the enhanced capabilities will assist us to attract inward investment with a vision to create long term skilled manufacturing jobs at our port which will become a National hub for the renewables industry.
“Operationally, the additional quay and associated laydown area provides us with a lot of flexibility, and this multi-million pound investment is further evidence of our commitment to ensure our facility is “best in class” for meeting both existing and future industry demands.
“It will be a huge selling point for us when tendering for the next generation of floating offshore wind projects, with the additional deep-water quayside allowing us to do the fabrication and assembly of the floating hulls at the port’s South Quay area while the wind turbine integration onto the floating foundations is being conducted at the East Quay.”
Jonny Kerr, civil engineering operations director at Farrans Construction, added, “We are pleased to add this project to our extensive marine portfolio and we have worked closely with our client to ensure an on time and on budget completion. The East Quay of Nigg has been a strategically important project for Global Energy and our specialist knowledge of marine civil engineering has been critical in the smooth delivery.
“Our work in the marine sector plays a critical role in supporting private and public sector organisations in the off-shore renewables industry, logistics, shipping and transportation and we have self-delivered some of the largest marine projects in the UK and Ireland.”
Roy MacGregor, chairman of Global Energy Group, which owns and operates the Port of Nigg, commented, “I can’t underestimate what a huge benefit the new East Quay will be to the Port of Nigg and its supply chain, and what an enhancement the development is to the Cromarty Firth’s bid for Green Freeport status. The increase of our deep-water quayside capacity to over 1,200m provides the necessary infrastructure for supporting the next generation of floating offshore wind at a time when the SOWEC Report and other major studies have identified the Cromarty Firth as the only location in the UK with the physical characteristics and port facilities that could feasibly support their development.”
