{"id":54323,"date":"2025-04-27T08:46:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T08:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/54323\/"},"modified":"2025-04-27T08:46:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T08:46:13","slug":"deep-water-berth-declared-officially-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/54323\/","title":{"rendered":"Deep water berth declared officially open"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new offshore renewables berth in Leith Docks was officially opened this week. <\/p>\n

The facility will be able to host the largest offshore wind construction vessels in the world, including those working on Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, creating around 50 new jobs. <\/p>\n

The new berth has been named after the former CEO of Forth Ports, Charles Hammond.<\/p>\n

Mr Hammond who stepped down after 23 years in the position was on hand to conduct the ceremony by unveiling a sculpture sited at the berth. <\/p>\n

The 7 feet structure has been created by Borders-based craftsman, Daniel Lacey, using a reclaimed wind turbine blade. The berth is the latest in the development of the port in a multi million pound investment, and will make Leith a world class renewables hub.<\/p>\n

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group, said: \u201cToday marks another important milestone in the history of Forth Ports and the transformation of the Port of Leith. Ahead of market demand, we have created a world class piece of infrastructure for Scotland as the nation starts to deliver the first wave of larger offshore wind projects taking shape in the North Sea. This, alongside our investment in the Port of Dundee, has created two purpose-built assembly terminals to meet the immediate needs of Scotland\u2019s offshore wind sector.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThese assets are part of Forth Ports\u2019 vision aimed at addressing the UK\u2019s port capacity required for the deployment of these projects, keeping the activity here in Scotland and the UK.\u00a0 This port infrastructure will be here for the long term and will become part of our sustainable future.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cNaming the berth after Charles couldn\u2019t be a more fitting tribute to his leadership and we are proud to have his name on the berth as part of his legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles Hammond OBE\u00a0<\/strong>said:\u00a0\u201cThis is a real honour for\u00a0me\u00a0and I am humbled that this high-quality\u00a0berth\u00a0features\u00a0my name.\u00a0During my time as Chief Executive, Leith and its port have gone through significant\u00a0change and transition. However,\u00a0this investment in the new\u00a0renewables\u00a0berth is the biggest transformation of the port in a generation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the continued support of private businesses like Forth Ports, and a\u00a0collaborative approach with both the UK and Scottish governments,\u00a0there is\u00a0a\u00a0real\u00a0opportunity to see a significant pipeline of projects delivered from here, creating economic benefit for Leith, Edinburgh and Scotland as well as assisting the UK in achieving its Net Zero targets.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cMy thanks to Stuart and the team for this and I wish\u00a0Forth Ports\u00a0every success as the business\u00a0continues on its upwards trajectory.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to attend the formal opening of the Charles Hammond Berth at the Port of Leith today. This investment of more than \u00a3100 million from Forth Ports represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking infrastructure Scotland needs as we accelerate our journey toward net zero. The berth isn\u2019t just a fitting tribute to Charles Hammond\u2019s leadership; it\u2019s a powerful statement about Scotland\u2019s commitment to renewable energy and green jobs.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThis has the potential to support thousands of high-quality jobs and position the Firth of Forth as a central driver of Scotland\u2019s just energy transition. The UK Government, through our Plan for Change, is proud to support this reindustrialisation that puts Scotland at the forefront of offshore wind development.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tracy Gilbert, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: \u2018With this new berth, we\u2019ve got the infrastructure to support the biggest offshore projects out there. But beyond that, it\u2019s about building skills, attracting investment, and making sure local people feel the benefits of the green energy transition. Leith\u2019s got everything it needs to lead the way.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Danish turbine manufacturer, Vestas, has identified the Port of Leith\u2019s Renewables Hub as a possible location for a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility. While a final investment decision has not been made, the company has initiated the planning application process with the City of Edinburgh Council for the facility.<\/p>\n

\"\"Charles Hammond (Former Forth Ports CEO)\"\"L-R: Ben Macpherson MSP, Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports, Charles Hammond OBE, Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Tracy Gilbert, MP for Leith, at the unveiling of a sculpture marking the naming of the Charles Hammond Berth at the Leith Renewables Hub, with the Kittiwake Tug in the background providing the salute with its water cannons.\"\" L-R: Stuart Wallace (Forth Ports CEO) and Charles Hammond (Former Forth Ports CEO)\"image_pdf\"<\/a>\"image_print\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.<\/p>\n

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