An award-winning ferry terminal has opened its doors after major works were completed on the remote Isle of Harris in the Scottish Outer Hebrides.
Owned by CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited), a harbour development project consisting of a new pier, fendering system and enlarged marshalling area had to be put in place while lifeline ferry operations continued.
The redevelopment won a Scottish Civil Engineering Marine Infrastructure Award last November.
”The work to redevelop the harbour and terminal building began in 2019 – and had to pause during the global pandemic,” said Ramsay Muirhead, director of Port Infrastructure & Planning. ”As soon as we were able to resume work safely, we did; and it is testament to the hard work of our contractors and the patience of the local community that we are now able to welcome passengers to the new terminal.”
The terminal is just a tiny part of a £580 million commitment from the Scottish Government over a five-year period up to 2026, which aims to deliver 21 vessels for the fleet and major upgrades to harbour infrastructure over the next decade.
The works, across 26 harbours, will entail slipway reconstruction and widening, pier and fender repairs, lighting upgrades and safety measures.
“Our team has decades of marine, civil, construction and mechanical engineering, ship design and naval architecture experience,” says CMAL CEO Kevin Hobbs. “We’re confident, with the required level of funding and commitment, our plans can be delivered in the next 10 years to ensure island and rural communities remain connected and their economies are supported.”
