Multi-million pound investment announced for Port of Dundee

The £10m investment will create a new strengthened quayside

The Port of Dundee's owners have said a new £10m investment will put it at the forefront of the oil and gas decommissioning and offshore wind sectors.

Forth Ports Limited said the investment to create a new strengthened quayside was the largest in the port's history.

The new quayside will be 200m longer and offer heavy lift capability across its whole length,

Construction will begin immediately and is expected to last 18 months.

The company said the heavy lift capability, coupled with a deep-water berth and land area of about 60 acres, would allow the handling of the "largest cargoes".

Charles Hammond, Forth Ports chief executive said: "This is an important, privately funded investment for the Port of Dundee which is ideally placed to service the needs of North Sea oil and gas, decommissioning and Scotland's offshore wind sector over the coming years.

"The port's existing skills base and location, combined with its riverside berths, deep water and rock river bed, put the port in a key position to become a hub for these sectors for construction, operations and maintenance and for decommissioning."

Forth Ports said the strengthened quayside would be equipped to handle marine projects such as offshore anchor and chain servicing, as well as offshore wind turbine assembly.

It said business at the port had grown in the past year and cruise liner visits would increase from six in 2015 to a planned 10 this year.

Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild said: "This substantial investment in the facilities at the Port of Dundee sends a strong signal that we are open for business when it comes to decommissioning and offshore wind.

"Not only will it put Dundee at the heart of these two important industries for the future of the country, it will provide jobs and generate income during the construction phase.

"As a council we have always worked closely with Forth Ports to promote the facility and this private investment backs up our support and confidence."