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Over the years the port has changed significantly with the focus on addressing the needs of the evolving client base and providing infrastructure for support companies to expand their services and grow.

As part of the ambitious programme of port infrastructure development there will be various submissions to regulatory bodies during the project life cycle. We will endeavour to publish these submissions at the earliest opportunity so that stakeholders and interested parties can access them.

To ensure that correct information is supplied we may provide links to the Regulatory bodies systems where appropriate.

 

Project: Redevelopment of the St Ola Pier

Project Summary Boards

Current Status: Marine Licence Granted / Construction Contract Awarded

Introduction:

Scrabster Harbour Trust applied to the Scottish Ministers for marine licences under section 20 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to expand the existing St. Ola Pier and undertake dredging at Scrabster Harbour.  The marine licence applications are accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).

The consented project is summarised below – the marine licence applications, EIAR and design drawings can be viewed in full, online at https://marine.gov.scot/ml/st-ola-pier-redevelopment-scrabster

Notice is hereby given that Scrabster Harbour Trust of Scrabster Harbour, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7UJ has been granted by the Scottish Ministers a marine licence with conditions attached under section 20 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to construct, remove substances or objects, dredge and deposit substances or objects for the redevelopment of the St Ola Pier at Scrabster Harbour.

The two licence documents are attached below.

 

Project Summary:

The existing St. Ola Pier was constructed in 1972 and has fallen into declining use due to ongoing corrosion of steel piling and lack of load bearing capacity for imposed deck loads. The existing Pier is situated within the centre of the harbour and incorporates a 100 metre long berth to the south-west, a linkspan and a further 115 metre berth which was used by the Orkney Ferry prior to the Queen Elizabeth Pier being constructed in 2003.

The opportunity afforded by redevelopment is being used to provide enhanced berthing faces on the inner side for service and cargo vessels with a new straight berth face on the outside face; particularly for cruise vessels of up to 250m long.

Partial demolition of the existing pier will be required to allow for the construction of the new pier walls and decking. Pier quay walls will comprise steel tubular piles with interlocking steel sheet piles. It is proposed that any concrete broken out as part of the demolition works will be crushed to allow for reuse within the works, as engineering fill (subject to meeting performance criteria).

The renovated pier will be circa. 280m long and fully enclosed around the perimeter. An enclosed structure will allow for beneficial reuse of both dredge spoil and crushed recycled concrete if suitable. There will be a concrete deck with drainage captured through full retention interceptors as well as a number of centrally positioned lighting masts capable of providing 50 lux.

The outer face will comprise of a dredged berthing pocket at a depth of -9m CD and to -8m CD in the basin to accommodate cruise and other large vessels and the inner face will be dredged to provide a consistent berth depth of -7.5m CD.

Due to affordability constraints the original plan, for reclamation and revetment of 0.84ha (plan area of both) at the root of the pier had been removed from the works scope. This element may be constructed at a later date. The volume of dredge material generated by the works is approximately 89,100m3 of sandy gravel and clay. It is proposed that dredge material will be re-used within the reclaimed area and within the redeveloped pier structure (if deemed suitable by the works contractor). Alternatively dredge spoil may be disposed at a sea disposal site.

A water supply will be provided on the St. Ola Pier routed from the existing storage tank at the root of the Queen Elizabeth pier. The works will require service connections to allow for power and water to service the redeveloped pier. A minimum 400V shore power supply will be provided from the existing transformer located behind St. Ola Pier on the shore-side. A number of high mast lights will be provided to ensure adequate working light for all activities.

 

Construction Contract:

Scrabster Harbour Trust has entered into a Design and Build engineering and construction contract with RJ MacLeod (Contractors) Limited for the works. Detailed design and procurement activities are underway. The works are expected to be completed during the summer of 2021.