Bidders sought for Stornoway Deep Water Port design contract

Stornoway Port Authority has issued a call for bidders to design its brand new Deep Water Port; one of the largest developments in the Hebrides to date.

The Deep Water Port is integral to the authority’s 20-year masterplan, which aims to generate significant economic grown across the islands. Design of this initial phase will allow all subsequent stages to be delivered, and the scheme in its entirety represents the single biggest development in Stornoway Port Authority history. It is thought that the designs will be finalised in May 2019, with construction scheduled to begin at the end of 2019 and completion due for June 2021.

The Deep Water Port proposal is seen as crucial to boosting local growth in the burgeoning cruise business, by providing facilities for larger ships that are currently unable to berth alongside. While Stornoway welcomed 43 cruise ships in 2017, the settlement attracts relatively few large vessels, as those over 156 metres in length are unable to dock and passengers have to be brought ashore by small tender.

To maintain and grow the cruise market, Stornoway needs a facility for berthing cruise ships up to 350 metres long. This would attract an additional 35-40 vessels a year, creating a significant number of business opportunities throughout the island as visitor numbers entering through the port continue to increase.

According to Stornoway Port Authority Chief Executive Alex Macleod: “The tendering of the design contract marks a significant date for the Port Authority and the Hebrides. This is a hugely exciting opportunity which will have transformational effects on the local economy and beyond. Whilst the work on the design continues, we will work with a number of agencies, including the Scottish Government, to investigate and source innovative ways to fund the project.”

Works will include land remodelling, dredging, land reclamation, a new quay, finger pier and linkspan and a host of associated civil engineering works.

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