Up to £10m to be invested in green freeport quay

A new heavy-duty quayside for handling offshore wind farm components is to be created as part of the new Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport (ICFGF).

Public agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved up to £10m for the planned redevelopment of Port of Nigg's Inner East Quay.

The funding forms part of a Scottish government commitment to invest up to £500m in the freeport over the next five years.

Engineering company Global Energy Group acquired Nigg in 2011.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said Nigg was strategically important to the growth of Scotland's offshore wind sector.

She said: "An investment of this nature sends a clear signal to investors that Scotland is open for business, and the Scottish government and our partners stand ready to help unleash the enormous economic benefits of our offshore wind industry."

Last month, the UK government granted Nigg permission to have some of its own customs arrangements.

It is the first site in ICFGF to get the designation.

The status simplifies paperwork and reduce costs - including taxes - around large engineering equipment and components imported from overseas.

ICFGF said the move could attract more companies and investment to the freeport, which was set up following an announcement two years ago.

The freeport has forecast that it will lead to the creation of more than 10,000 jobs in the Highlands and Islands and attract more than £3bn of fresh investment.

Green freeports are able to offer tax incentives and lower tariffs within the zones they cover.

They also include commitments to meeting net zero targets and supporting fair work practices.

The business case for the ICFGF was approved by the Scottish and UK governments.