The Port of Dundee’s £10million transformation to create an oil and gas decommissioning and offshore wind ‘hub’ was the focus of a ministerial visit yesterday.
Scottish Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, was briefed on the £10m quay extension which will feature the UK’s strongest quayside.
It has been specifically designed to help the port to handle the large scale loads demanded during both North Sea decommissioning and renewables projects.
Mr Wheelhouse said: “The decision by Forth Ports to invest £10 million in Dundees Quayside was a vote of confidence in the city and the wider area.
“The investment will deliver important infrastructure improvements, allowing Dundee to seize its share of the major economic opportunities which both decommissioning and offshore wind projects represent for Scotland. We have had significant success in the decommissioning market, particularly in well plugging and abandonment, and port investment such as at Dundee, positions Scotland well to maximise opportunities in disposal of the topside infrastructure.
“None of this would be possible without the area’s highly skilled and experienced workforce and, of course, there are valuable opportunities to create many more jobs too.
“Decommissioning is a growing market, with spend forecast to reach £17 billion over the decade to 2025. The Scottish Government is determined to ensure we have the infrastructure we need to allow the world-class Scottish supply chain to compete for, and win, this new work.
“Our action plan and £5 million challenge fund will help ensure Scottish companies can do exactly that.”
Stuart Wallace, chief operating officer at owners of the harbour, Forth Ports, added: “We were pleased to welcome the Minister to Dundee today and it was a pleasure to brief him on the substantial private investment we are making at the port.
“Dundee is optimally placed to accommodate a significant share of North Sea decommissioning work and offshore wind projects due to its proximity to the North Sea, rail and road links, port facilities, its on-site supply chain and the city’s skilled workforce.”
The Minister was joined by MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison.
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