It’s all kicking off in Kishorn

For many businesses 2021 will be a time to rebuild but for those at Kishorn Port Limited (KPL) it will be a chance to reflect and build on the considerable progress they have been able to achieve during the global pandemic.

Significant strides have been made over the past 12 to 18 months to regenerate the port and dry dock in Kishorn, nestled in the west coast of Scotland.

A DOCK IN DEMAND

A joint venture between Leiths (Scotland) Ltd and Ferguson Transport (Spean Bridge) Ltd, KPL was formed in 2008 with an aim to bring the dry dock back into full use. Fast-forward to 2020, the port welcomed Teekay’s Banff FPSO for temporary mooring, the Voyageur Spirit FPSO for a significant scope of work and the dry dock was also used for the dismantling of the MV Kaami cargo vessel which ran aground off the coast of Skye in March. In April of this year the port was also able to take in the Northern Producer rig – the first of its kind in the UK to be decommissioned in a dry dock. It therefore comes as no surprise that the latest plans are to extend the dry dock, allowing it to accommodate much larger marine structures and vessels, a move that will come with the promise of at least 40 jobs and will provide a much-needed boost to the economy. As pointed out by the KPL director, Alasdair Ferguson, this number of jobs in a rural area like Kishorn would be the equivalent to an opening of several hundred in a large city. This expansion will allow for the recycling of longer vessels, in particular FSPOs. The dry dock and deep, sheltered waters of Loch Kishorn, combined with onsite quarry and concrete expertise, make Kishorn uniquely well placed to produce concrete and spar design structures for floating offshore wind projects.

“We’ve worked in earnest over the past four or five years on licensing, permitting and getting the dock ready and able for decommissioning,” explains Alasdair. “The yard has always been included in the National Renewables Infrastructure plan for Scotland, particularly for concrete based manufacturing, but there was a clear, emerging market in decommissioning. “Out of the blue in March 2020 the MV Kaami went aground north west of Skye. So, we proposed that, while we didn’t yet have all our ducks in a row on the regulation side of things, our dry dock would be ideally suited to take it in to be recycled. “We did take it in and only a very small percentage was unable to be recycled. This opened up new doors in the market for recycling and decommissioning and really put us on the map by demonstrating an exemplary facility where recycling can be undertaken in a safe, contained and environmentally friendly manner. “A minimum of 40 jobs will be created on the decommissioning side of things but obviously the extension of the dry dock will allow for a lot more. We reckon creating 40 jobs in an area like Kishorn would be the equivalent of creating 400 jobs in a city like Glasgow or Aberdeen, for example.”

HELPING THE COMMUNITY

With great expansion comes great opportunity and Alasdair recognises the need to encourage local people to learn new skills, while utilising existing ones. He works closely with Developing the Young Workforce and has links with schools and colleges nearby but is also keen to reach out to those in the area who have lost jobs in other sectors as a result of the pandemic. There is also a strong desire to welcome people back to the area who have been living elsewhere. “Working with young people is definitely a priority but there are people of all ages in the area that could upskill,” he says. “Some have been out of work with other sectors getting quieter over the pandemic and they have transferable skills. “There is also a need to attract local people back to the area to live and work. The ideal scenario would be to have people who are currently working away from home, unable to find jobs in the community, come back to the area to live with their families because of these new opportunities.”

LOOKING AHEAD

With activity set to accelerate over the next few months, Alasdair and his co-directors have ambitious long-term plans for the port so that it continues to benefit the community for many years to come. “We have got some great plans for the future to develop and grow at pace and I think we are already achieving great success in what we have delivered so far,” he explains. “For decades and generations to come the yard will facilitate everything from the energy to the aquaculture sector, which are all good growth areas. “We want to futureproof the yard for the people locally, as well as the businesses involved. We need to make sure we put the right funding in place, as well as the right partners and stakeholders, to make sure that we can deliver that and I think that will come on a lot of fronts.”

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK

As director of KPL, Alasdair Ferguson has a great affinity with the area. Considering a move? Hear from him why he calls the Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross area home.

“It goes without saying that the outdoors and the rural nature of it all makes this area a very good place to live and work. If you look at the Lochaber area, then you’ve got your mountains, your skiing, biking and all the various other outdoor pursuits.

“As you go north to Kishorn you’ve got the Bealach na Bà, the Isle of Skye close by, all of the outdoor pursuits you could ever wish to have, and it’s a lovely scenic area to live with lots of opportunity. “The great thing about Kishorn in particular is that, while it is a very rural area, it is only an hour and a half to Inverness, there are a couple of private airports nearby and good links by rail and road. This means you’re not far from many places and connectivity is improving all the time.”

Voyager Spirit FSPO in dry dock for maintenance and preservation works

ALASTAIR NICOLSON

HIE’S AREA MANAGER FOR LOCHABER, SKYE AND WESTER ROSS

“Kishorn Port and Dry Dock is a great asset to Wester Ross that supports valuable jobs in a very rural area. We are delighted we’ve been able to work with Alasdair and his team for several years now, investing in upgrading the dry dock in readiness for new contracts and more recently helping to fund accommodation facilities.

“It’s been fantastic to see what KPL has been able to achieve for the region over the past few months, particularly at a time where the global pandemic has impacted so many other areas of work.

“The latest plans to expand the dry dock will not only create a number of jobs but will also generate wider economic benefits well beyond the Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross area.”