GRAHAM, a leading civil engineering company, has constructed Forth Ports’ new deep-water riverside berth at the Port of Leith – designed to host the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels. The berth was formally opened on Thursday 24 April, marking a significant step forward in Scotland’s pursuit of net-zero emissions.
It has been named the Charles Hammond Berth in honour of Forth Ports’ former Chief Executive, with the naming ceremony attended by Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland.
The newly engineered heavy-lift berth boasts a robust 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m²) capacity, backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling, and manufacturing.
A pivotal asset within a 175-acre site, the design will accommodate Scotland’s energy transition plans, boosting local supply chains, creating new, high-quality green jobs, and making a significant contribution to the country achieving its net-zero carbon emissions targets. The Leith Renewables Hub is part of the Forth Green Freeport’s strategically located tax sites, which aim to reindustrialise central Scotland, generating thousands of high-quality green jobs by increasing trade and supporting the growth of businesses across the Firth of Forth.
Paul Scott, GRAHAM Contracts Director, said:
“The completion and grand opening of the Charles Hammond Berth is a proud moment for GRAHAM and a significant step forward for Scotland’s renewable energy sector. This complex project highlights our commitment to delivering critical infrastructure that not only meets immediate needs but also unlocks substantial long-term economic benefits for the region. We are delighted to have played a key role in creating a facility that will be instrumental in achieving Scotland’s net-zero targets and attracting significant investment and job creation.”
The Charles Hammond Berth provides essential infrastructure for the Inch Cape wind farm and positions Leith as a key hub for the offshore renewables industry, attracting further investment and job creation within the Forth Green Freeport.
Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group, said:
“Today 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’s offshore wind sector.
“These assets are part of Forth Ports’ vision aimed at addressing the UK’s port capacity required for the deployment of these projects, keeping the activity here in Scotland and the UK. This port infrastructure will be here for the long term and will become part of our sustainable future.
“Naming the berth after Charles couldn’t be a more fitting tribute to his leadership and we are proud to have his name on the berth as part of his legacy.”
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