Montrose Port Authority (MPA) recently welcomed Michael Marra, Scottish Labour MSP for North East Scotland and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, for an in-depth tour showcasing the Port’s strategic developments to support Scotland’s renewable energy sector. Recognised as a critical logistics and service hub for the North Sea energy industry, Montrose Port continues to drive innovation and growth for Scotland’s energy transition.

During the visit, Mr Marra received a comprehensive briefing on MPA’s ongoing masterplanning initiative, which includes the recent multi-million-pound acquisition of Montrose Commercial Park and the adjacent former Charleton House site, located just under three miles north of the Port. This expansion has increased MPA’s footprint from 59 acres to 104 acres, solidifying its position as a key player in Scotland’s renewable energy future and broader economic progress.

The additional land is set to provide essential infrastructure for Scotland’s offshore wind sector, with Montrose Port on track to become the world’s largest operations and maintenance (O&M) hub. With 2.5GW of capacity to be operated from the Port, MPA already hosts the O&M base for Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, and will soon welcome the Inch Cape project’s O&M base with construction beginning in 2025. 

Mr Marra explored several key initiatives on his visit, including the transformation of the historic Customs House into a modern commercial space and the first Skills Academy for the renewables sector in Angus. Earlier this month, MPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dundee and Angus College and Angus Council to collaborate on this landmark project.

As part of the tour, Mr Marra was also shown Plug Montrose, MPA’s self-funded large-scale shore power facility developed in partnership with leading Norwegian shore power specialist, Plug. This £1 million project, the first of its kind in Scotland and the UK designed specifically for offshore energy vessels, has already achieved remarkable success, cutting over 200 tonnes of CO2 emissions since its launch earlier this year. The innovative project demonstrates Montrose Port’s unwavering commitment to reaching carbon neutrality and supporting cleaner, greener maritime operations. 

Speaking about his visit, Michael Marra MSP said: “The route towards a clean energy transition runs through places like the Montrose Port. The authority is delivering on the opportunities for investment and jobs, which will benefit the local area and the Northeast of Scotland. Labour is committed to fostering a clean energy future that delivers on jobs and benefits for the economy. It is integral to the community and investing in local people everywhere. The vision and energy of the Port’s leadership is vital to the town and region.”

Tom Hutchison, CEO of Montrose Port, expressed his appreciation for Mr Marra’s visit, stating: “It was wonderful to welcome Mr Marra to Montrose Port and showcase the transformative projects driving our sustainable growth. From bolstering Scotland’s offshore wind capacity to pioneering net zero initiatives, we are at the forefront of driving meaningful change in our region’s energy landscape. Our commitment extends beyond infrastructure – we are dedicated to supporting our local community and economy as a key economic driver for North East Scotland. We greatly appreciate Mr Marra’s support as we continue on this innovative path forward.”