Phase 5: Safeguarding Port of Cromarty Firth for Future Generations
What is Phase 5?
Since the Port was established in the 1970s, the world has changed. The renewables industry has boomed – with technology rapidly growing in size; the size of rigs has increased; and cruise ships are larger than ever.
Following the establishment of Inverness & Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, the Phase 5 expansion will enable the Port to attract world leaders to the Firth for the benefit of the region – including those developing massive offshore wind projects off our coast.
To prepare for the future, safeguard jobs and create more business opportunities, more space and modern facilities are needed to accommodate the vessels that would like to visit and bring their projects or passengers here.
- The depth of the Cromarty Firth’s water means it can accommodate the largest vessels, which many other ports cannot.
- The Port welcomes more cruise passengers than any other port in Scotland.
The Port is one of only two in the UK set to benefit from the UK Government’s Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) for this expansion, and has been selected as one of three Scottish projects chosen to progress in the SOWEC Strategic Investment Model (SIM).
About the Port of Cromarty Firth
Established in 1973, Port of Cromarty Firth (PoCF) is a Trust Port. It has no
shareholders and 100% of its profits are reinvested in the Port, for the benefit
of its stakeholders. Stakeholders include the local community, Port users,
employees, local and regional businesses, and local and national government.
PoCF’s mission is to act as a key economic enabler in the region (already
generating £275 million annually for the Highland economy) and supporting
high value, exciting and diverse employment opportunities in the area.
In addition, as a harbour authority, PoCF has the responsibility for safe
navigation, and safeguarding of the environment in the Cromarty Firth.
For over 50 years the Port has successfully maintained the delicate balance
between generating economic activity and safeguarding the waters over
which we are guardians.
Drivers for Phase 5
Government Net Zero Ambition
- The UK and Scottish Governments have set the goal of achieving Net Zero by 2045 and 2050
respectively. - To meet Net Zero there is a heavy reliance on renewable energy, of which off shore wind is a key component.
- In the last decade offshore wind turbines have steadily increased in size and moved into deeper water.
- The development of floating turbines facilitates the harnessing of wind in deep waters.
- Larger port facilities are required for construction, installation and operational support to offshore windfarms, hence they have become critical to achieving the Net Zero goal.
Drivers for Phase 5
Port Requirements
- The Scottish Government has set targets not only for the installation of renewable technology, but also the incorporation of ‘Local Content’ in offshore wind farm projects, ensuring Scotland benefits from both the clean energy and economic development.
- Appropriate port infrastructure is essential to allow this aspiration to be realised.
Drivers for Phase 5
Floating wind technology requires ports to have:
- Deep sheltered waters for floating technology.
- Quays for offloading components, assembling turbines onto floating bases and to allow
pre-commissioning to be completed. - Large areas of laydown to facilitate the assembly and pre-commissioning stages.
- Heavy lift and load capabilities to move and store components.
- Preference for a roll-on, roll-off facility for ease of component delivery.
- Good access throughout working areas.
The Proposed Port Development
Key
- Phase 2
- Phase 3
- Phase 3B
- Phase 4
- Phase 5
- Consenting Red Line Boundary
Roll-on, Roll-off
Necessary infrastructure to be located at the north of the
Queens Dock to allow components to be driven off vessels.
Queens Dock West Quay
An option to install a quay on the western edge of the Queens Dock is incorporated into the design to allow wind turbine component delivery vessels to berth and unload, without interrupting the wind turbine assembly and pre-commissioning works.
Access Widening
Small area of land reclamation to widen the access route between phases 2 and 3 past the fishmeal shed.
Fendering
Fenders will be installed along the length of the old and new berths. This will give us plenty of flexibility and allow us to berth vessels or floating turbines.
Dredging
The berth and associated navigational areas will be dredged to provide an operational berth depth of -14m Chart Datum. To ensure stability of adjacent bed materials, appropriately designed dredge slopes could be utilised to merge the dredge pocket into the surrounding seabed.
Heavy Load Pad
A 70 x 70 metre concrete heavy load pad able to take between 25-30t/m2 supported by piles will allow a large crane to be installed.
Quay West Extension
Extension to Quay West berth of up to 450m
Bollards
Mooring bollards will be installed along the quay cope beam to aid the restraint of vessels berthed at the quay. The numbers, rating and location will be appropriatelyfor the size of vessels visiting the facility.
Land Reclamation
The land reclamation will provide 11 hectares of additional laydown. Providing a maximum combined laydown area for Phases 2-5 or over 23 hectare.
Lighting
High mast lighting towers with multiple luminaires on each tower shall be installed. The lights will be controlled such that the number of active luminaries can be restricted, with the aim of minimising light pollution and energy usage while maintaining safe illumination for the tasks in progress.
Surfacing
The Phase 5 laydown area will be finished with crushed stone, and be able to bear loads of 15 tonnes per metre squared.
The Proposed Port Development
How We Will Build It
Revetment
The revetment footprint will be dredged to facilitate the formation of a stable revetment structure and in the placement of competent material. The revetment will be constructed by placing various grades of rock onto the seabed within the dredged footprint. It is likely that the rock will be delivered by road and sea. If deliveries are made by road they will be from the A9 west of Invergordon and will utilise the West Gate to avoid the need for vehicles to drive through the town.
Quay Wall Piling
The quay wall will be of combi-wall formation and comprise tubular piles with infill sheet pile sections between the tubular sections. A second row of tubular piles will be installed behind the quay wall and within the reclaimed area for the purposes of forming the buried anchorage system. The piles will be installed either from the sea or through the land bund. Due to the geology of the seabed it is assumed that both percussion and impact piling techniques will be required to install the piles. This will be taken account of in the assessment of in-air and underwater noise impacts. Piles will be delivered by sea to an existing berth.
Bollards
Mooring bollards will be installed along the quay cope beam to aid the restraint of vessels berthed at the quay. The numbers, rating and location will be appropriate for the size of vessels visiting the facility.
Dredging
Material will be dredged using both trailer suction and back hoe dredge techniques. With material removed disposed of to the Sutors dredge deposit site.
Infilling
Infill material will be delivered by sea and placed within the area formed by the revetment and quay wall. Areas may be surcharged (overfilled) so that the weight of the material squeezes out water and compacts the material to minimise settlement during operations.
Rock Armour Removal
The existing rock armour on the west side of Phase 4 will be removed to allow a seamless join between the two phases. The rock will be reutilised in the Phase 5 revetment.
Environmental Considerations
Coastal Processes
To understand the effect the new structure will have on the shoreline, coastal process modelling is being carried out. As the shore is designated for wintering birds, it is important to ensure this habitat is not affected.
Noise Assessment
Noise monitoring has been completed to understand the baseline noise levels in Invergordon and Balblair. Noise levels associated with construction and operational plant and vessels are being utilised to predict noise levels at local receptors.
Bird Surveys
Breeding and winter bird surveys around the Phase 5 development and shoreline up to the Invergordon boating club have been carried out. Vantage Point (VP) surveys were conducted from King Edward Drive and at the Queens Dock area within the Port boundary to understand birds’ flight patterns in the area. The survey results are informing the ornithological impact assessment.
Underwater Noise
Tern Management Plan
This is being developed for all PoCF operations to safeguard both common and Arctic tern which utilise Invergordon Service Base for breeding activities, while ensuring worker safety. This will be a live document updated to take into account learning.
Marine Mammals
Porpoise, seals and dolphins regularly utilise the Cromarty Firth. The effects of construction noise, water quality and vessel movements are being assessed. Data collected during previous construction works in the Firth are being utilised to inform this. A marine mammal protection plan will be in place for construction works.
Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
Assessments have been undertaken to demonstrate that the potential effects on setting of features such as the Thieves Stone and Rosskeen church are non-significant. Protocols will be in place during construction in case any previous unknown artifacts are discovered.
Aviation
Discussions are planned to agree protocols for informing aviation authorities of when large structures will be in the port area.
Traffic
A traffic assessment is being conducted, however, effects are expected to be similar to those associated with the construction of Phase 4, as the majority of materials will be delivered by sea.
Climate Change
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the full lifecycle of Phase 5 are being considered by undertaking carbon calculations.
Landscape and Visual
Impacts on the landscape are being considered of the operational activities. Photomontages and 3D modelling is being undertaken.
Have Your Say on Phase 5
Your Input
As a Trust Port, the opinion of our local community matters to us. We value your feedback on the proposed development: what you like, what you don’t like and how the port can maximise benefits for local people and businesses.
What Happens Next?
The Port will apply to the Marine Directorate for a Marine Licence in January 2025. This is the equivalent of planning permission, but for water-based developments. The application will be supported by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report, which will be made publicly available. The Marine Directorate will then undertake their own consultation on the plans. This will include seeking opinions from statutory stakeholders including Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), NatureScot, The Highland Council, Northern Lighthouse Board, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). You can also provide comments at that stage.
Stay in Touch
If you’d like to keep up to date on the latest news from Port of Cromarty Firth, including updates on Phase 5, please sign up to our newsletter.
Learn More
Thank You
Thank you for taking an interest in the Port and its future. We look forward to working together with the community to create a prosperous future for the Cromarty Firth.
Port of Cromarty Firth
Port Office, Shore Road
Invergordon,
IV18 0HD
Tel: 01349 852308
Email: port@pocf.co.uk
