Port Facilities

  • Modern diversified port facility
  • Deep sheltered waters
  • Track record in oil and gas
  • On and offshore renewable support
  • The UK's largest IRM port
  • Premier Cruise destination
  • Good communication links
  • Skilled labour force
  • Can do attitude
  • ISO9001 accreditation
  • 24 hour access 

Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Scotland: A History

 Invergordon Harbour

For thousands of years the Cromarty Firth and the districts which surround it have seen human activity of varied kinds, with the sea always playing a vital role in the life of its communities.

 

Throughout the centuries Invergordon has been used as a port, with the first property harbour works being initiated in 1785.  During the 18th and 19th centuries it was principally used to ship grain and livestock south.

 

 Notable Dates

  • As far back as the Jacobite risings in 1715 and 1745 the Navy had a presence in Invergordon
  • In 1912 the Ministry of Defence designated Invergordon a permanent base until its withdrawal in 1993
  • During WW1 and WW2 the Cromarty Firth was of strategic importance as a Naval Base
  • Early 1970s saw a move towards North Sea Oil and the Nigg Fabrication Yar was opened
  • 1971 The Alcan Smelter was completed with associated Saltburn Pier; the Smelter closed in 1981
  • 1973 Formation of CFPA; along with ownership of the West Harbour, CFPA was responsible jointly with the Navy for the conservancy functions of the Port
  • 1974 Highland Deephaven opened
  • 1979 British National Oil Corporation announced its intention to construct a North Sea Base at Invergordon
  • 1981 Beatrice Oil Field started production
  • 1980-82 Proposed refinery at Nigg (National Bulk Carriers)
  • 1983 The Sedco 700 was the first oil rig to undertake repair works at the Invergordon Service Base
  • 1984 Withdrawal of the Navy and the closure of the refuelling base
  • 1984 The Moray Firth Service Company, one third owned by CFPA, was established to operate the Service Base
  • 1988 Pilotage for the Firth passed from the Navy to CFPA
  • 1990s The Navy retained a presence in the Firth, although it had no statutory role other than the operation of the Admiralty Pier until its withdrawal in 1993
  • 1994 CFPA bought out the shares of the Wood Group and J P Knight in the Moray Firth Service Company