Montrose Port today confirmed plans to diversify in to the cruise market after weathering a two-year downturn in oil and gas.
Angus MP Mike Weir welcomed the plans to bring cruise ships into Montrose Port – with the first one set to dock there next year.
The Port, which can currently handle smaller cruise liners with a capacity up to 400 people, are hoping to attract up to 10 short-stay cruises per annum.
Weir said: “As they are a Trust Port, Montrose continually re-invest into the business and they have exciting plans to continue developing their area in the years to come.
“The recent downturn in the oil and gas industry has affected them but they are coming through the other side and are looking forward.
“The one cloud on the horizon is Brexit and the uncertainty it brings but, like all businesses in Angus they are ambitious and will thrive as best as they can regardless of the future.”
Nik Scott-Gray, chief executive of Montrose Port Authority, added: “We had a very useful and constructive meeting with Mike Weir where he expressed his support for our ongoing port development plans, our proposals for the Tay Cities Deal initiative and our strategy to attract cruise ships to the port.
“These developments will deliver real and tangible economic benefits to Montrose and the wider Angus economy, with the cruise ship initiative delivering exciting new opportunities to develop the considerable tourism potential of the area.”
Montrose Port are investing heavily with a multi-million pound upgrade to future proof their quays and are hoping to benefit from a Tay Cities deal with an direct link road to the A90 road to Aberdeen.
