Thursday, February 4, 2021 - 10:57 by ce-press
Stornoway Port Authority (SPA) has welcomed a £49 million (€55.4 million) investment into a new deepwater terminal which will enable larger cruiseships to call the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland.
The new facility will open up a gateway to the Outer Hebrides, providing a major boost to the local economy as more tourists will be offered the opportunity to visit the region.
Stornoway is situated on the island of Lewis and Harris, which is famed for Harris Tweed, the 5,000-year-old Callanish Stones, the Lewis Chessmen, Blackhouse villages, and is also home to some of the most picturesque beaches on the planet.
The deepwater terminal is set to be operational from May 2023. It will be able to accommodate vessels up to 360m in length and will be the only deepwater berth on the west coast of Scotland, north of Greenock.
Stornoway is a good location for UK itineraries, being an overnight sail to/from Kirkwall/Invergordon/Belfast/Glasgow. Stornoway is also an ideal stopping point for Iceland and Faroe Islands itineraries.
Alex MacLeod, chief executive SPA, said: “We are extremely pleased to announce this major investment in the port’s cruise infrastructure, which will deliver a wealth of opportunities to both our community and the cruise industry. This significant project will allow Stornoway to welcome the world, as our epic landscape, living Gaelic culture, history with mystery, and limitless landmarks, provide the perfect offering for cruiselines and tourists alike as they seek to explore Scotland and beyond.
“This project will bring transformative change to the entire region, most notably to the local economy, and it gives us immense excitement to see the collaborative approach between all the local partners which will be essential to ensure the operational success of the terminal.
“Our own announcement comes hot on the heels of the confirmation of Southampton’s new fifth terminal, which will greatly enhance the cruise itineraries and volume of ships coming from Southampton and neighbouring ports.”
