A public-private sector agreement has been reached to help expand operations and attract investment at the Port of Montrose, the world’s largest chain and anchor port.

Montrose Port Authority is already a key hub for transport, logistics and energy on Scotland’s North East Coast. As a trust port, MPA drives sustainability, supports economic growth and plays a vital role in Scotland’s energy transition.

It has become a major operations & maintenance (O&M) base for offshore wind and is home to the O&M base for Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, Seagreen. It will be the base for the forthcoming Inch Cape wind project which will begin construction later this year.

A Scottish Enterprise grant of £3.2 million will support a £7.2m project to acquire and develop land at Montrose Port Industrial Park just under two miles from the port.

The Scottish Enterprise investment is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to invest up to £500m over five years to develop the offshore wind supply chain and leverage an additional £1.5 billion of private investment.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Scotland’s offshore wind sector is already creating significant opportunities, delivering jobs and attracting major investment across the country. 

“The Port of Montrose is a key asset in supporting Scotland’s offshore wind industry. This investment is the latest in a series of strategic commitments we have made to unlock new opportunities and secure Scotland’s future as a renewables powerhouse.

Scottish Enterprise CEO Adrian Gillespie said: “The expansion of Montrose Port is hugely important to providing new infrastructure and space to support the continued growth of the offshore wind sector.

“Montrose Port Authority has exciting plans for the future and we are pleased to back that kind of ambition which will attract further investment into Scotland’s economy.”

Thibaut Cheret, wind & renewables manager, Offshore Energies UK said: “Investment in next generation energy infrastructure is critical to the future of our North Sea. This is an example of government working in partnership with business to crowd in the investment we need to build a globally competitive energy mix.

“Scotland’s world class firms and their skilled people can use new facilities like this as a springboard to success at home and in global markets.”