A CONSORTIUM have unveiled their visions for a major Scottish port with a view to a potential £1bn of investment.
Babcock International, Forth Ports Group and Scarborough Muir Group have outlined their vision for the port, shipbuilding, manufacturing and logistics cluster at Rosyth.
It includes plans for a new freight terminal, offshore renewable manufacturing and green power generating capacity.
It will also enable development of large-scale advanced manufacturing, skills and innovation onsite, alongside a proposed new rail freight connection.
This vision and the associated economic and community benefits will look to boost Fife and the wider region, if the decision to designate the Forth as a green freeport is secured.
Charles Hammond OBE, CEO of Forth Ports Group, commented: “Scotland needs to boost its international connectivity.
“Our plan for new freight hub and rail terminals will offer manufacturers and shippers a fast-track route to global and European markets directly via the North Sea.
“Our plan builds upon the recent DFDS announcement, which aims to see the return of a direct daily freight ferry route to northern Europe from Scotland, while offering an alternative to the congested Dover Straits and reducing dependence on road transport, while boosting trade.”
Babcock International, Forth Ports Group and Scarborough Muir Group’s say their sites within Rosyth and Burntisland have the potential to deliver £1bn of investment and an estimated 7,000 new direct green jobs assuming business case approval in the new year.
This will come in the form of the development of nearly 150 hectares of land at Rosyth, identified as part of the prospective Forth Green Freeport.
David Lockwood, CEO Babcock International Group PLC, said: “The Green Freeport would enhance the multi-million pound investment in infrastructure, digitisation and skills at Babcock’s Rosyth facilities over the last decade.
“It would also complement our work with partners through the Arrol Gibb Innovation Campus – a global centre of excellence for large-scale advanced manufacturing, offering access to the latest industrial techniques and technology.”
Working with Fife Council and other bid partners including City of Edinburgh Council, Falkirk Council, Edinburgh Airport and INEOS, the Forth Green Freeport aims to deliver high quality green manufacturing and logistics jobs.
It will repurpose existing assets and drive new skills with a view to aiding a just transition to a low carbon future.
Each new port job is estimated to be 50% more productive and 40% better paid than the average wage according to UK Major Ports Group.
Newly-created Green Freeport jobs at Rosyth would mainly serve activity such as shipping logistics, advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding, in addition to the assembly of offshore wind and low carbon energy generation.
This will aim to deliver sustainable, inclusive economic growth along the Firth of Forth.
It is expected that Burntisland will be a sister port facility to the newly created Renewables Hub at the Port of Leith, providing further deep-water access and local supply chain capability as offshore wind deployment accelerates.
It was submitted to the UK and Scottish governments for assessment on 20th June 2022, and in summary seeks to re-industrialise Scotland, create large scale economic development, boost local supply chain growth, skills development and create a world-class manufacturing cluster.
The bid has the potential to generate 50,000 new green jobs across Scotland and act as a catalyst for new green technologies and renewable energy manufacturing, unlocking £6bn of private and public investment for the country.
Ronnie Muir, Director of Scarborough Muir Group, said: “Scotland is on the cusp of a green revolution, with offshore wind providing the catalyst for new, high-quality manufacturing and engineering employment along the Firth energy coast.
“Located on the Firth of Forth, the 120-acre development site provides an established hub for businesses in the green energy sector looking to scale their operations or improve supply chain efficiencies across Central Scotland and beyond.”
