Council Leader welcomes ship to ship anchor application being dropped

The Highland Council’s Leader has welcomed the Port of Cromarty Firth’s announcement that: “Due to higher priority projects the Port will not be pursuing the resubmission of our ship to ship at anchor application.”

In 2016 Highland Council gave its comments to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on an application made by the Port of Cromarty Firth to request permission for ship to ship oil transfers from moorings close by the Sutors of Cromarty, within the Port Authority area.

In its response the Council and Members raised concerns about: lack of evidence of local consultation by the applicant; possible detrimental impact on tourism and the environment in an area which had been designated as a site of special scientific interest; the potential risk and impact of an oil spillage in the area; and the unlikelihood any full-time job creation from this activity among a list of numerous concerns raised.

Cllr Margaret Davidson, Leader of The Highland Council said: “This is welcome news that the application for ship to ship oil transfers is not being pursued as this will safeguard the local environment. We also welcome that the Port of Cromarty Firth has other ‘higher priority projects’ at their facility; that the cruise ship and renewable energy vessel market is buoyant and that their business is experiencing ‘record breaking’ results all of which is good for the local economy and jobs.”