Address Port of Inverness, The Harbour Office Longman Drive , Inverness IV1 1SU, Scotland, UK
Telephone: 01463 715715 Fax: 01463 715705
Website: http://www.portofinverness.co.uk
Port continues to thrive
After dramatic developments over the past few years, the Port of Inverness continues to thrive throughout the economic downturn.
Marina
The new marina, a key part of the £9 million expansion project, was completed at the end of 2008. With 150 berths and a full range of high quality facilities, the marina is already an established destination for sailors, attracting enthusiasts from all over the world.
The marina features one of the most up- to-date boat hoists in Europe which can lift large and small craft, allowing it to cater for yachts of all sizes.
Improved harbour facilities
The regeneration of the harbour area was a major feat of engineering, involving the reclamation of ten hectares of land from the existing shoreline at the mouth of the River Ness, an operation involving extensive dredging of the river.
An extension to the port’s freight handling areas was constructed with some of the material dredged from the river. A new 150m quay wall allows small cruise ships carrying up to 300 passengers to visit the port. Last summer luxury cruise liner the MV Hebridean Princess spent two nights berthed in Inverness, with guests visiting Culloden and Fort George.
Large lay-down areas are now available with a heavy lift pad capable of handling single lifts of up to 200 tonnes in weight. This makes Inverness the ideal location for importing wind turbines and other equipment for the renewable energy industry. Recently a 75 tonne barge, the Forth Linesman, arrived by road in three sections which were lifted by crane into the water and joined together to form a self propelled vessel.
Future plans
The second stage of the harbour’s planned development include exciting plans to turn the waterfront into an even more attractive gateway to the Highland capital with a boutique hotel, restaurants, retail outlets, coffee shops, a visitor centre, chandlery and offices. The global economic downturn has meant that this second stage of the harbour development has not progressed as quickly as originally envisaged but discussions with potential partners continue.
Port of Inverness key facts
- Ships have been using Inverness Harbour for more than 2,000 years
- The first Inverness Harbour Trust was formed by seven councillors, five merchants and five ship owners after parliament passed the first Harbour Act in 1847
- There are now 10 trustees, appointed following strict guidelines and with assistance from an independent assessor
- As one of Scotland’s most sheltered deep water harbours, Inverness is well placed to take advantage of international shipping business
- The Port of Inverness handles trade from Scandinavia, the Baltic States, the EU and the Mediterranean
- Cargo passing through the port of Inverness includes oil, timber , paper pulp, coal, grain, animal feed and salt
- The harbour’s income comes from three main activities: Piloting ships in and out of the port; dues paid by companies for loading and unloading cargoes; and berthing fees paid by individuals keeping yachts in the marina
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