On the 5th of September, Montrose Port hosted a special celebration at Arbikie Distillery to honour the success of Plug Montrose—Scotland’s first port to offer shore power to vessels in the offshore energy sector. The event, set against the stunning backdrop of Arbikie, brought together all the key partners, contractors, and stakeholders who played vital roles in making this ground-breaking project a reality.

While Plug Montrose was officially launched earlier this year in April, this event was a moment to reflect on the achievements made since then and to celebrate the collaboration that has been integral to the project’s success. Since going live in April, Plug Montrose has already made a significant environmental impact, with 205 tonnes of CO2 saved—equivalent to 98,391 litres of petrol or a car driving around the world 38.5 times. This impressive feat is just the beginning, as the project is projected to save 400 tonnes of CO2 within its first year, pushing Montrose Port closer to its long-term goal of reducing 80% of Scope 3 emissions by 2035.

The day was filled with gratitude and recognition for the teams that made Plug Montrose possible. Special thanks were extended to the contractors and partners involved, including Ericht Electrical, Noran Electrical, Pert Bruce Construction, PowerCon, Here’s the Plan and Scottish and Southern Electricity Network (SSEN), whose expertise was essential in bringing shore power to life at Montrose. The leadership team at Montrose Port also acknowledged the contributions of Plug, the joint venture partner whose forward-thinking approach and innovative tracking software have been instrumental in the project’s continued success.

A particular highlight of the celebration was the recognition of the collaborative spirit that drove the project forward. “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of everyone involved,” said Captain Tom Hutchison, Chief Executive of Montrose Port Authority . “While others waited for funding or hesitated, we moved forward, believing in the vision of a greener future for Montrose.” The result of that shared vision is a port that now stands as a leader in Scotland’s energy transition and maritime sustainability.

The event wasn’t just about looking back but also looking ahead. With shore power soon to be live on Berth 3, Montrose Port is already exploring new ways to extend this technology further, setting the stage for continued innovation and sustainability. The port is also preparing for its upcoming partnership with the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, whose Operations and Maintenance base will soon be constructed at Montrose Port—a project the port is committed to executing as sustainably as possible.

In addition to celebrating the success of Plug Montrose, the event featured inspiring talks and performances that deepened the connection between sustainability and community. Gavin Oattes, an acclaimed speaker, delivered a thought-provoking address on the importance of “planting trees”—both literally and metaphorically. He drew parallels between the act of planting trees and the impact of sustainability initiatives like PLUG Montrose, emphasising that the seeds we plant today will yield significant results in the future, for the benefit of generations to come.

Adding to the atmosphere, Lathallan School Pipe Band welcomed guests to the event.  Lynne Campbell, a talented singer then entertained everyone with a round of local folk songs, before an ambassador of the distillery led everyone through a small tasting of the Arbikie 1794 Highland Rye Single Grain Scotch Whisky.

The event, held at Arbikie Distillery, a local leader in net-zero operations and sustainable practices, perfectly mirrored the values at the heart of Montrose Port’s mission. With both Montrose and Arbikie striving for a cleaner, greener Scotland, the event was a celebration not only of past successes but of future possibilities.

Montrose Port’s leadership closed the event with an inspiring message: “The future is something we build together. Whether it’s reducing emissions, adopting new technologies, or simply asking, ‘What more can we do?’—the answer is clear. Together, we’ve already made a significant impact, and together, we can do so much more.”

As Montrose Port continues to lead by example, Plug Montrose is setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the maritime industry. The port’s commitment to innovation and collaboration will continue to drive positive change for generations to come.