A major port expansion project in the Scottish Highlands is set to strengthen the region’s role in the offshore energy sector through the development of a new heavy-duty quay and specialist export infrastructure.
The new East Inner Drying Quay (EIDQ) will deliver approximately 16,000 sq m of heavy-duty quay space, significantly increasing the port’s roll-on/roll-off handling capacity and supporting growing demand from offshore wind and energy projects.
A key feature of the scheme is its direct connection to the adjacent Sumitomo Electric HVDC cable manufacturing facility. The quay will act as a dedicated load-out and export hub for high-voltage power cables, providing a seamless port-side link between production, transportation and offshore deployment.
The project is expected to enhance the port’s ability to serve offshore renewable energy developments, particularly as demand grows for large-scale subsea transmission infrastructure connecting offshore wind farms to national electricity grids.
McLaughlin & Harvey brings previous experience at the port, having completed reconstruction of the South Quay between 2014 and 2015. That earlier project included the installation of a 370m combi-pile quay wall and the construction of a 130m by 40m West Finger Quay, helping expand the port’s marine infrastructure capacity.
The latest investment is expected to further strengthen the Highlands’ position as a strategic hub for offshore energy manufacturing, logistics and export activity.
Seamus Devlin, Managing Director at McLaughlin & Harvey said: “We’re pleased to be returning to the Port of Nigg, enhancing port capacity and operational capability by creating a new quay for the energy sector. This project draws on our experience of delivering complex marine projects in port infrastructure across the UK and Ireland.”
Rory Gunn, Facilities Director at Maraen Port of Nigg said: “The new quay will provide our current and future customers with critical load in and load out options and greatly increases our deep-water quay availability.
“This project is exactly the kind of targeted infrastructure that the energy industry needs from us and we are looking forward to delivering another successful capital investment project at our site.
“We’re pleased to be working again with McLaughlin & Harvey, who know this site well and understand what it takes to successfully deliver projects here to the high quality and safety standards we demand.
“Their work on the South Quay transformed the capabilities at the Port of Nigg and enabled us to attract large Energy sector project which could previously not be accommodated at our site.”
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