The Port of Cromarty Firth has awarded a £1.5 million ($1.9 million) contract to RJ McLeod to complete pre-construction work for its £111 million ($146 million) Phase 5 expansion.
The project will increase the size of the existing nine-hectare Quay West facility and prepare the site for future offshore wind development activity in the North Sea.
RJ McLeod will carry out detailed design, develop a construction programme, and plan the procurement of essential materials.
The company was appointed through SCAPE Scotland’s Utilities Works and Services Framework. The pre-construction phase is expected to conclude by summer, with construction anticipated to begin in the autumn.
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RJ McLeod, based in Glasgow, has experience delivering infrastructure projects across Scotland, including coastal engineering works. Past projects include harbour and streetscape improvements in Ullapool.
The expansion is projected to create between 170 and 320 jobs during the construction phase.
Upon completion, the site will support floating offshore wind operations, including integration, pre-commissioning, and ongoing support services.
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Alex Campbell, Chief Executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “This contract has gone ahead thanks to the FLOWMIS funding recently confirmed by the UK Government.
“They recognised how Phase 5 is vital to provide the necessary integration and pre-commissioning facilities to act as a catalyst to deliver economic growth and jobs by ensuring the manufacture, assembly and many other services required for floating offshore wind projects happens in the UK.”
Hamish Seaton, North Director at RJ McLeod, stated: “This project will provide us with the opportunity to deliver a boost to the local economy, not only in terms of employment with a local Highland contractor, but also through the extensive and valuable local supply chain of goods and services.”
